Strike heats up in north east

Members of trade union Unite at Go North East continue to heap pressure on their employer during a strike now entering its second week. Unite’s latest communication accuses the operator’s parent company, Go-Ahead, of forgetting its roots in the north east, saying the business is ‘built on the backs of workers on Tyneside’.

Meanwhile, the operator says it is surprised and disappointed at the industrial action, claiming it sees no justification for it. The company has offered drivers a 10.3% pay rise which it says would make them the highest paid drivers in the north-east with hourly rates of £14.15. This increase comes on top of a 10% rise a year ago, and is accompanied by a guarantee of an above-inflation increase next year.

More than 1,300 Unite members working for Go North East embarked on all-out continuous strike action from 28 October in a dispute over pay and conditions. Members rejected the latest pay offer by 81% on a turnout of 93%. The Unite members are angry that they are being paid up to 20% less than their counterparts working for fellow Go-Ahead company Go North West in Manchester.

Unite claims Go North East workers have not had a pay rise for over five years (when adjusted for inflation) and their salaries have fallen by 5% since 2018. It compares this to the salary of the highest paid director, who it says earns over £188,000.

According to a survey carried out by Unite, 60% of those asked said they had to cut back on essentials such as food and energy, while three-quarters claim they work excessively long hours.

“Go North East was built on the backs of workers on Tyneside and yet it has now forgotten the communities that helped build its transport empire” – Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “The Go-Ahead group has plenty of money and doesn’t hesitate to pay its CEO a six figure salary but won’t stump up the cash for those who do the real work driving its buses.

“Go North East was built on the backs of workers on Tyneside and yet it has now forgotten the communities that helped build its transport empire. Unite will be fully supporting our members in their fight for fair pay.”

“It’s not in our interests, or our passengers’ interests, to have a strike but unfortunately it appears that the union is determined to force a strike, whatever we put on the table” – Ben Maxfield, Business Director, Go North East

Ben Maxfield, Business Director, Go North East, said: “We are surprised and disappointed that Unite continues to urge its members to strike. We have offered our bus drivers a 10.3% pay rise which would make them the highest paid drivers in the north-east with hourly rates of £14.15. This increase comes on top of a 10% rise a year ago, and is accompanied by a guarantee of an above-inflation increase next year.

“We see no need or justification for this industrial action. It’s not in our interests, or our passengers’ interests, to have a strike but unfortunately it appears that the union is determined to force a strike, whatever we put on the table.”