Tram strike to coincide with Nottingham's Goose Fair

Tram staff are to go on strike during Nottingham's historic Goose Fair, it has been confirmed.

The city's tram operator Nottingham Express Transit (NET) said on Wednesday the move followed nine months of pay discussions and negotiations, including a pay offer in June that was rejected by the union GMB.

Industrial action will take place across six days during a two-week period beginning on Saturday 26 September - a day after the annual event at Forest Recreation Ground gets under way.

Colin Whyatt, the regional organiser for GMB, said members were "awfully supportive", with 88% of them voting for strike action.

The union has previously said it would take industrial action during the event in 2023 and 2024, but it was called off on both occaisions.

NET said it remained open to further talks and hoped it could come to a resolution.

It added discussions with the union had been ongoing since January, including a final offer of a 3.3% pay increase, a 7% increase for the lowest paid roles, and "further improvements for night workers".

The strike is scheduled to begin at 05:00 BST on 26 September and run until 04:59 on 28 September, before resuming at 05:00 on Friday 2 October and concluding at 04:59 on Sunday 4 October.

The operator said tram workers would not work any overtime between 05:00 on 28 September and 04:59 on 2 October.

GMB accepted a two-year pay deal in 2024, which promised workers an 8.5% pay uplift.

Whyatt told the BBC the last two meetings with the tram company were "pointless" but he remained hopeful with another meeting due to take place on Friday.

"We have to express our discontent," he added. "We find ourselves in this situation again not because of GMB.

"We are hopeful and we remain hopeful that the company will resolve this. The strike action doesn't help anyone."

Sarah Turner, managing director of NET, said: "After spending many months in discussions with GMB, it's incredibly disappointing that the decision has been made to go ahead with strike action that will bring the whole city to a standstill, and targets a popular annual event that's really important for Nottingham.

"Each year, Goose Fair sees thousands of visitors flock to the Forest Recreation Ground to enjoy what is, for many, one of the highlights of the year."

The park and ride at the site will also be closed during the fair, it was previously reported.

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