Nick Hart, Birmingham Socialist Party
Conductors and drivers on the West Midlands Metro tram line are set to begin a 53-day programme of strikes between now and early January. The first walkout of workers on the line, which runs between Wolverhampton and Birmingham, takes place on Saturday 15 October.
Central to the dispute are the shockingly low rates of pay. Drivers who have responsibility for navigating through busy pedestrian areas of Birmingham city centre and Wolverhampton main roads are paid just £21,537 a year. Conductors receive the same rate for being the public face of the network and ensuring passenger wellbeing.
Unite the Union has 176 members working for the publicly owned West Midlands Metro, and has demanded a minimum £27,000 salary to bring these workers in line with other similar jobs in passenger transport. The resounding 82% yes vote for strike action shows the willingness of workers not just to defend their livelihoods but to make up for lost time after years of low pay.
