The Unite union has announced its Edinburgh Trams membership have ]backed strike action in a dispute over late running times to Edinburgh airport which it says is preventing workers from taking comfort breaks.
Over 90% of tram workers in the ballot supported strike action. The union says more than 160 members could now take strike action in a matter of weeks, if comfort breaks and wider health concerns impacting the workers are not swiftly addressed.
Unite believes there is a shortfall of between 5-6 minutes in the running time from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven. Each round trip takes on average two hours to complete.
The maximum driving time before a scheduled break is five hours, but the union says many tram workers go this length of time without hydration or toilet breaks. This is due to running late and having to make up the time. It adds this “unacceptable situation” has contributed to health issues developing among Unite’s membership including stress and infections.
(Picture – Yay Images)
