SCOTLAND'S only public tram network could grind to a halt as drivers consider strike action.

Edinburgh Trams has become a "hostile environment" where workers "fear for their jobs", according to the Unite union.

Now its members are to hold a consultative ballot on industrial action over what they call a "damaging culture of blame".

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The comments are said to relate to the suspension of one worker and disciplinary procedures against others.

Unite claims those actions relate to incidents that "held little risk to the public or others", and has accused bosses of putting additional pressure on staff through "inconsistencies" in the way internal matters are handled.

Union members raised a collective grievance on these grounds last month and have accused managers of taking "harsh, unreasonable and unjust" action against colleagues.

It says this is a "reflection of a culture of blame which permeates the organisation".

Regional officer Lyn Turner said: "The management at Edinburgh Trams must know that workers cannot be motivated through blame or fear.

“Unite accepts that safety is the primary concern at all times. However the decision by management to escalate what we see as a few incidents that did not compromise safety, to disciplinaries and sacking offences is simply unreasonable and unjust.

“These matters could have been dealt with quickly and fairly. Instead management have raised the bar and meted out punishment well beyond what was necessary which has led to the decision to ballot our members for industrial action.

“We now have a situation where, because of the lack of rational decision-making by management, the trams may stop running.

“Unite is disappointed that it has come to this, but management at Edinburgh Trams should start behaving reasonably and rationally when dealing with incidents and issues.”

The ballot will end on October 19.

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Edinburgh Trams defended its internal processes. A spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite are not willing to allow the necessary time for these processes to formally conclude.

“We are not prepared to comment publicly on confidential staff matters.

“This is not a legal ballot, and we are surprised that Unite have chosen to take this action.

“Our communication channels remain open as we aim to identify and resolve their concerns. In the meantime, trams will continue to operate on our regular timetable.”