Croydon tram strike set to go ahead after pay talks break down

Tram strikes starting this week in Croydon are set to go ahead after pay talks broke down. Engineers on the Croydon Tramlink are in a dispute with Transport for London due to their colleagues on the Tube being paid up to £10k more.

This is despite both roles requiring the same qualifications. About 60 tram, stores and infrastructure engineers are set to join the strike, according Unite the Union which represents them.

Industrial action will commence on Sunday, May 5 last until Thursday, May 9. TfL officials say residents should check before they travel as a 'reduced service' will operate on 'most strike days'.

READ MORE: Daniel Anjorin's TfL worker dad grieving appalling loss of son after horrific Hainault attack

Customers have also been told to 'consider' walking and cycling for 'local journeys'. Alternatively, London buses and the Overground are scheduled to operate as normal .

Strike action was originally postponed in March to allow for talks, but negotiations collapsed after Unite claimed TfL "refused to be transparent" about the process to identify pay disparities and how they would be resolved.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is outrageous that TfL somehow thinks it is acceptable to be systemically underpaying highly skilled workers who are essential to keep the tram system functioning.

“TfL was negotiating in bad faith by breaking its promises and withholding information. Unite’s patience has run out with TfL’s disgraceful double-dealing and lack of transparency. Our members will now be embarking on strike action and they will have the complete support of their union Unite behind them.”

Full breakdown of expected disruption

Below is a full breakdown of disruption expected on London Trams, according to TfL.

Sunday, May 5

• A normal London Trams service is expected to operate.

Monday, May 6, Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday May 8

• No service expected before 07:00 or after 18:00 on the whole of the London Trams network.

• A reduced service will operate between:

• Wimbledon and Reeves Corner

• East Croydon and Beckenham Junction/New Addington

• No service will operate through Croydon town centre or to/from Elmer’s End all day

• Next tram information displayed at tram stops will offer limited information

Thursday, May 9

• Services are expected to start later than normal, with possible disruption throughout the day

• Next tram information displayed at tram stops will offer limited information

Navid Golshan, General Manager for London Trams, said: “We urge Unite the Union to continue to work with us to find a resolution and call this strike off. Customers planning to use London Trams services are urged to check before they travel, allow extra time for their journeys, and check the TfL website or the TfL Go app for the latest travel information.”

Our London Underground newsletter brings you the latest travel updates to help you survive your commute - as well as a weekly dose of Tube trivia! You can sign up HERE.