Nottingham Express Transit (NET) has described the announcement of 25 further days of tram strikes as “incredibly disappointing” and warned that the financial impact of continued industrial action could put the future of the network at risk.
The response follows GMB Union’s announcement of further strike action between October and December, including dates during the busy Christmas shopping period, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
The dispute involves tram drivers, ticketing staff, control staff, engineers, cleaners and office workers.
Sarah Turner, managing director of NET, said pay negotiations had been taking place since the beginning of 2026, with the dispute developing in June.
She said the operator had made several improved offers, including its latest proposal of a 3.3% pay increase, rising to 7% for the lowest-paid roles, alongside further improvements for night workers.
“It’s incredibly disappointing to receive GMB’s notice of a proposed 25-day strike period over the coming winter months,” she said.
“We understand the ongoing financial pressures and rising living costs that many people across the nation are facing, and since pay talks first began, we have remained committed to reaching a resolution.”
NET confirmed that further negotiations with GMB are scheduled for Monday 12 October, following an approach by the operator after the recent strikes during Nottingham’s Goose Fair.
Ms Turner said the decision to announce further industrial action before that meeting was frustrating.
“The fact that GMB has announced its intention to embark on such an intense period of strike action ahead of next week’s talks is really frustrating.
“This highlights the ongoing challenges we’ve faced and GMB’s unwillingness to reach an agreement. We have always remained open to collaboration and negotiation, but GMB is yet to move on its pay request, a request which remains unaffordable and becomes more unaffordable with each day of strike action.”
NET said the recent Goose Fair industrial action had caused a substantial financial impact on the business, with further losses expected if the additional strikes proceed.
Ms Turner also raised concerns about the consequences for passengers during the run-up to Christmas, when large numbers of visitors travel into Nottingham for shopping and events including Winter Wonderland.
She said people living in areas with limited alternative bus services, along with passengers who have additional accessibility needs, could be particularly affected.
“The proposed strike days have been orchestrated to create maximum damage to our service and maximum disruption to the lives of so many across the city, and we believe the people of Nottingham deserve better.
“The action is deliberate and calculated, with the intention of forcing us into a situation that puts the very survival of the network and a vital part of the city’s infrastructure at risk.”
NET said it would attempt to operate tram services during the proposed strike dates but warned that services would run only where it was safe to do so.
“We’d like to apologise to all our passengers for the distress and frustration the news of the upcoming strike action will no doubt cause.
“If the strike action does go ahead in line with GMB’s plans, we will do our utmost to still run a service during strike days. However, the safety and wellbeing of all our passengers and staff will always be our ultimate priority. As such, we will only run a service where it is safe to do so.”
GMB has said its members are seeking fair pay and that strike action is a last resort.
Colin Whyatt, GMB organiser, said workers had been attempting to resolve the dispute for almost a year and called on tram bosses to make a serious offer on pay.
The union has announced four strike dates in October, eight in November and 13 in December.
Ms Turner said NET remained willing to negotiate and hoped the meeting on Monday would produce progress.
“We remain open and steadfast in our intention to reach a resolution over the coming weeks, and we hope Monday’s pay talks provide a positive way for us to move forward.
“However, as with any negotiation, that will require a willingness from both parties to find a way to meet in the middle, something we have tried so many times to do and continue to do.”
The first of the newly announced strike dates is Thursday 22 October. Further dates are scheduled throughout November and December, with the final planned strike on New Year’s Eve.
