Goose Fair tram strike chaos 'won't happen' next year after recent deal

Tram strike chaos around Nottingham's Goose Fair "won't happen" next year due to the agreement signed that saw the last one cancelled. A 10-day strike had been threatened to last the course of this year's Goose Fair, with a strike in 2023 having been called off after an agreement was reached just before the start of the annual festival.

This year's strike ended up lasting just one day after GMB Midlands announced an agreement had been reached. The union had been in a dispute with Nottingham's tram operator over pay for staff, with GMB claiming that the offer to its members was not adequate amid the cost of living crisis.

Given the number of years a tram strike has now been threatened to coincide with Goose Fair, questions were asked at a Nottingham City Council meeting about what steps could be taken to avoid chaos in 2025. Councillor Andrew Rule, an independent councillor, asked at a Council House meeting on Monday (November 11): "Given this was the second year the tram operator has had strike activity take place around Goose Fair weekend, what contingency plans are in place to mitigate against future strike action, damaging the ability of visitors to attend Goose Fair?"

Neghat Khan, Nottingham City Council's leader, said: "I'm happy to tell you that we reached a two year agreement, so next year it won't happen... What we want to do is make sure that we work together."

Despite the pledge for next year's Goose Fair, GMB have threatened further tram disruption this Christmas. The union recently said its members could strike in a revolt over the suspension of a staff member, which the GMB described as the "victimisation of a union rep for doing nothing more than standing up for their members".

On the principle of strike action, Councillor Khan added: "No one wants to see disruption on any of our transport networks. Nottingham's tram is a fantastic part of our integrated transport system and brings millions of people around our city each year, so I sympathise with people whose journeys were affected by the one-day strike.

"However, the council supports [the] union's and workers' right to take industrial action. We were disappointed that an agreement wasn't reached in time to avoid the one-day strike.

"In the interests of ensuring continued successful operation of Nottingham's tram system for residents, we urged the parties to get together. I'm pleased the sides reached agreement and the threat of further disruption was avoided."