Go North East bus drivers go on strike after rejecting pay rise offer

Bus strikes are back across the North East after drivers rejected a pay offer.

Staff at Go North East are taking 'indefinite' industrial action - which the company says will cause 'untold damage'

It comes in the same week as a £15 million promise to the region's sector.

Around 1,300 drivers walked out from all six depots this morning after turning down a 10.3% pay rise from the company.

Go North East says the strike is set to last for 12 weeks.

The company's business director, Ben Maxfield said:

“We are baffled. Drivers wanted an above inflation deal, no changes to conditions and top-of-the market rates. We responded to each and every one of those demands, which makes it hard to understand why the union would press ahead with 12-weeks of industrial action”.

“This has become a strike entirely of the union’s own making.

“Immediately after learning of the ballot outcome, we appealed to the union to reconsider and suspend the strike. Unfortunately, this was met with a flat refusal”.

Unite regional officer Mark Sanderson said:

“We have repeatedly asked Go North East for a fair pay increase and again and again dragged their feet and refused to make a decent pay offer. We have drivers pushed to the brink of tiredness, working all hours God sends and skipping meals to make ends meet – yet their employer shows nothing but callous disregard for their wellbeing.

“Go North East have massively misread the strength of feeling from their workers on this issue and Unite will be backing them the whole way.”

The company’s primary concern now is for passengers across the region who face massive and unnecessary disruption to their daily lives as result of Unite’s strike. Please rest assured Go North East remain committed to finding a solution as swiftly as possible.

There will be no Go North East buses running during these dates, except contracted School Services. For the latest updates on service disruptions and further information, passengers are advised to visit the company website.

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