Major UK metropolis’s Christmas market in chaos as strikes spark journey nigh | UK | News | EUROtoday

One of the UK’s greatest cities may discover its historically rammed Christmas markets in chaos – as lots of of tram staff think about a winter strike. Arriving within the metropolis in 1999, Manchester was the primary metropolis within the UK to host devoted Christmas Markets. Since then, they’ve developed quickly and now appeal to over 9 million guests throughout their six-week keep in Manchester metropolis centre.

There could possibly be a serious disruption to festive journey in Greater Manchester subsequent month, as virtually 320 Metrolink tram workers are being balloted over working circumstances and fatigue fears. The drivers, members of Unite, work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited on the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester and function trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.

Unite defined: “Currently, the drivers’ shift patterns mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period. This results in some drivers working 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.

“Drivers even have fewer relaxation days in comparison with all different operational departments. This is inflicting security considerations round fatigue, with drivers involved about working heavy automobiles whereas exhausted and unable to have correct breaks.

“After raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is no funding available to support any meaningful improvements to working patterns.

“Instead, including insult to harm, administration has requested drivers to begin work earlier, including to elevated risks of fatigue.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our hardworking members at Metrolink do an important job – however fatigue is placing themselves and the general public in danger.

“Management can’t sweep this key safety issue under the carpet and they must come back to the table with workable solutions. Metrolink workers will have Unite’s full support throughout this dispute.”

The poll closes on November 11. Strikes may start in late November, inflicting widespread tram cancellations and delays in Greater Manchester through the busy festive purchasing interval.

Manchester’s world-famous Christmas markets will probably be open from Friday, November 7, to Monday, December 22, 2025, and can appeal to thousands and thousands of tourists every year.

The KeolisAmey Metrolink tram system is the biggest within the UK. Last yr, it dealt with a file 45 million journeys, with over 4 million journeys happening in every of May, October, November, and December.

It is a part of Greater Manchester’s built-in transport community, the Bee Network.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden mentioned: “Any strike motion will trigger an excessive amount of disruption, however it’s solely the fault of Metrolink, which isn’t taking the difficulty of driver fatigue significantly.

“It is dangerous for fatigued workers to be driving trams and they should not be put in this situation. We are demanding that Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester work with Unite to find a solution to this problem to avoid industrial action.”

The Express has contacted Metrolink for a response.