Strikes to halt weekend trams during Goose Fair

No trams will run for two weekends during Nottingham's historic Goose Fair due to strikes, it has been announced.

Industrial action is due to take place over eight days from Saturday - a day after the annual event at Forest Recreation Ground gets under way. It will also coincide with the Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday.

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

NET will have no service on Saturday and Sunday, and again on 2 October and 3 October.

Meanwhile, staff will take part in action short of strike on four other days during Goose Fair - Monday to 1 October - when staff may refuse or cancel overtime.

NET has warned tram users that regular services could be affected on the days between full strike action, with potential delays across the network.

Normal service will resume on 4 October.

Sarah Turner, managing director at NET, said: "We're always committed to doing all we can to keep the city moving, even during strike action.

"However, due to staff numbers, it's safer to have no service than to run a service with limited staff, which means we've had to make the difficult decision to not run a service during strike days.

"In addition, during the period in between strike days, while tram workers will still be working, the lack of any overtime work will still have a massive impact on our operations.

"This is because during busy periods of the year, overtime plays a crucial part in allowing us to run a robust and reliable service."

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

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

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

Turner said NET remained open to further talks with GMB "in the hopes of coming to a resolution that will ensure we can continue to keep the city moving".

The Forest park and ride site was due to close on Monday in preparation for the event.

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