Edinburgh tram workers to vote on strike action over 'lack of breaks'

Edinburgh tram workers are to vote on strike action amid health concerns raised over not being able to take comfort breaks on shift.

Unite the union, which represents drivers, ticket service assistants, controllers and vehicle maintenance workers, said that more than 160 staff were due to take part in the vote.

It also claimed that workers are going at least five hours without hydration or toilet breaks, leading to employees developing health issues including “stress and infections”.

Unite said this is due to a new timetable that has increased journey times along with delays caused by a new signalling system.

The strike ballot opens on July 29 and closes on August 12.

In a previous consultative ballot, 99% of tram workers said they were prepared to take industrial action on an 84% turnout.

Any industrial action could coincide with the end of the Edinburgh Festival when the city is at its busiest.

Lyn Turner, Unite industrial officer, added: “Edinburgh’s tram workers are emphatically saying give us our breaks.

“The sustained pressure being put on our members to complete the airport to Newhaven round trip is resulting in an alarming rise in incidents at work including stress and infections.

“The situation has arisen due to delays in the new signalling system and changes in the new timetable which were not properly tested before going into passenger service. Action needs to happen quickly or strike action will be inevitable.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams commented: “We are surprised the union is taking this course of action as it has been closely involved in our talks with the Trams to Newhaven project team on the efficiency of traffic signals that sometimes cause delays.

“However, we remain committed to ongoing discussions between all parties, with the aim of addressing their concerns while improving services for customers.”