TRAM workers in Edinburgh facing “unacceptable” conditions have overwhelmingly backed strike action.

More than 90 per cent of Unite members at the service, owned by Edinburgh City Council’s Transport for Edinburgh, voted to take industrial action in a dispute over late running times to Scotland’s largest airport and the prevention of workers from taking comfort breaks.

The union argues a troubled new signalling system leaves workers unable to take toilet breaks for as long as five hours, causing stress and infections among its 160 drivers, ticket service assistants, controllers and vehicle maintenance workers.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham branded the situation “unacceptable.” 

The union’s regional officer Lyn Turner warned: “This is mismanagement plain and simple, and it is having unacceptable consequences for our members.

“Unite wants to resolve this through negotiation but we are running out of track before strike action takes place.

“Management has one more chance.” 

An Edinburgh Trams spokesman said: “While we are disappointed the union has embarked on a course of action that threatens disruption for customers, we are committed to the well-being of colleagues and are doing everything we can to address their concerns.”