| W.E.U Admin | Workplace Wellbeing
Press Release – For Immediate Release | 30th July 2015
Overheard Conversation Reveals Critical Weaknesses
On 22nd July 2015, two Metrolink managers were overheard discussing confidential operational details while aboard a tram. A Trade Union activist from the Workers of England Union happened to be seated nearby and captured the entire conversation. Their loose talk exposed vulnerabilities that any union could leverage to negotiate improved pay and conditions.
Key Admissions by Management
Snippets from the managers’ discussion included:
- “We haven’t got enough drivers.”
- “We’re paying through the nose for overtime…”
- “Relying on overtime and rest-day working isn’t a sensible way to operate a network.”
Potential to Halt Services
The managers went on to outline how an industrial dispute could bring the entire system to a halt:
“Particularly if there’s an industrial dispute and the drivers say, ‘We’re going to work to rule and withdraw rest-day and overtime working,’ the system would grind to a halt.”
“A strike you can plan for, but you can’t plan for drivers refusing overtime and rest-day shifts—it's much more disruptive.”
Strategic Timing of Action
The managers even recommended the best time to strike:
“Unite should get their act together and strike during the football season: no rest-day working, work to rule—that would cause mayhem.”
Union Response
Eddie Bone, President of the Workers of England Union, stated:
“If our union were recognised at Metrolink, we would act immediately on this intelligence to secure better conditions for tram drivers. With the Premiership kicking off on 8th August 2015, imagine the disruption if drivers worked to rule and refused all overtime. According to those managers, it would paralyse the network. Perhaps Metrolink’s Managing Director, Chris Coleman, should consider a pay increase before the football season—or else Unite might just follow through on this strategy.”
Watch the Full Conversation
For the complete audio recording, see the video here: Google Drive Download Link
Related reading on our public transport page.
workersofengland.co.uk | Independent Workers Trade Union
This Article is Tagged under:
Management, Metrolink
