A 24 hour tram strike has been scheduled for next Wednesday after showdown talks to halt industrial action broke down today.
Representatives from the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and tram operators First Group, who run the Tramlink service on behalf of managing company Tramtrack Croydon Limited (TCL), met yesterday to thrash out a revised pay deal for drivers and administration staff.
A strike had been scheduled for last Friday, Saturday and Sunday but talks last Tuesday averted last week's planned industrial action until the outcome of yesterday's discussions.
However, the TGWU and First Group failed to reach an agreement at Tuesday's meeting meaning a 24-hour strike will go ahead on Wednesday, August 23.
Steve Linger, of the TGWU, said: "Talks have broken down so there is going to be a strike next Wednesday, August 23. We've been having talks for nine months now but First Group keep on messing us around and moving the goal posts. It will be a 24 hour strike beginning at 3am."
A spokesman for tram operators First Group said: "We are very disappointed that talks have broken down. It appears the strike action will proceed next Wednesday. Obviously we will make every effort to provide a substitute service to reduce the impact on people who use the tram."
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