West Midlands Metro strike suspended this week - here’s why

The remaining strikes scheduled for this week on the West Midlands Metro have been suspended following an improved pay offer.

Unite the Union had previously announced an escalation in the long running dispute, with members due to begin all-out continuous strike action from Monday 28 November.

Staff members were due to stage a strike from Wednesday to Friday this week (16 to 18 November), but Unite say the employers - West Midlands Combined Authority - requested an urgent meeting where an improved pay offer was made.

The union will now ballot its members at the West Midlands Metro on the new offer.

Workers are seeking a minimum pay rate of £27,000 for tram drivers/customer representatives and a £5,000 increase for all other grades, which can start at £21,537. The tram drivers/customer representatives are currently paid £21,939. It’s currently unclear what offer has been made by West Midlands Metro employers.

What’s been said about the improved pay offer?

Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “Following an improved pay offer being made today (Tuesday, 15 November) at the conciliation service Acas, as an act of good faith, Unite has suspended the strike action that was scheduled for the rest of this week.

“Unite’s members will be fully briefed on the latest offer and balloted on it.”

If the latest offer is rejected, Unite say the strikes scheduled for next week and beyond including the all-out strike action will proceed as scheduled.