METROLINK bosses have been left red-faced after they were recorded discussing vital staffing issues on a tram.

The two employees expressed concern about an apparent lack of drivers and predict that, if some did not work their rest days, the system would "grind to a halt".

Union leaders criticised the pair for talking about the issue in public and said it highlighted concerns about safety and working conditions.

The Workers of England Union (WOE), which is not the recognised union for Metrolink workers but represents some of its staff, has formally complained to Transport for Greater Manchester about the video, recorded on a tram near Manchester Piccadilly on July 22.

In the video, which was recorded by a relative of a union representative, the pair discuss Metrolink's practise of paying drivers to work on their rest days, rather than employing more drivers.

One said: "Relying on overtime and rest-day working — it’s not a sensible way to operate a network, is it?

"Particularly if there's an industrial dispute and the drivers say 'right, we're going to work to rule and we're withdrawing rest-day working, overtime working', the system would grind to a halt."

He goes on to suggest there will potentially be problems if things do not improve by the start of the football season.

Stephen Morris, of WOE's Northern branch, said: "Metrolink added new lines but did not hire enough new drivers so drivers have to work on rest days for the system to run.

"Overworked drivers could lose their attentiveness, which is unsafe.

"According to the staff in this video, all that would be needed for the system to grind to a halt is for drivers not work rest days. It is a concern."

WOE president Eddie Bone said: "The first Premier League match of the season is on Saturday.

"Just imagine the mayhem if Metrolink drivers worked to rule. According to those Metrolink managers it would bring the 'system to a halt'."

A Metrolink spokesman said: "We've been made aware of the video recording of two of our managers and we're currently looking into this matter internally."

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Man A (Brown Jacket)

Man B (Vis Jacket)

Man A ?? I don't get involved in that

Man B ?? trying to save money, pinching corners that's not the way to do it, we haven't got enough spare drivers for a start, there's serious money on sets and so forth, that taking the time on what you finish on your paying through the nose for overtime

Man A Yes ??

Man B It's based on balance sheets so you know, are we in the black or are we in the red because of it, you can see the overtime bill going back 3 years, its increased in the last 12 months so somewhere you know what's  the cause and factors is the overtime bill what you see, they need to look at that, and nobody's doing it so that's one of the issues, you know and if it isn't then ok , then as i say but even so relying on overtime and rest day working it's not a sensible way to operate a network is it? Particularly if there's an industrial dispute and the drivers say right were going to work to rule and were withdrawing rest day working, overtime working, the system would grind to a halt really that's.

Man A ??

Man B If UNITE, get their act together and realise that they could go on strike

Man A Unite don't realise it

Man B Go on strike work to rule and erm

Man B I think that's why their dragging their feet the company because there waiting for the football season all those ?? will say work to rule

Man A No more rest day working, no more rest day working and work to rule, you know it doesn't you know

Man B Not hard is it

Man A No, that's why Ian came in because

Man B because its much more disruptive if there's a strike ?? in some respects, ?? if there off their off you can plan for it but you can't plan for you know drivers not working their rest days and so forth