Tyne and Wear Metro engineers prepare to take strike action for better pay
Members of the Unite working on the Tyne and Wear Metro light rail system in the North East of England are preparing to take strike action over pay, the union announced.
Engineers on the Metro are employed by Stadler Rail which has failed to make a fair pay offer despite seeing an increase of 13.4 per cent in their own funding from the publicly funded Nexus transport group. Stadler is also seeking to make adverse changes to pay anniversary dates.
Engineering staff began an overtime ban earlier this week (Monday 6 November). A new pay offer has been made by Stadler Rail which is currently under consideration by members, but Unite has made it clear that unless the new offer is accepted industrial action will begin on 20 November for one week. Further strike action could occur at later dates. The ballot on the new pay offer closes at midday on 9 November.
Unite’s members do highly skilled and safety critical work on the trains that run on the Metro system. Workers are demanding a fair pay rise given how significantly Stadler’s funding was increased, which it has not passed on to their workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stadler received an above inflation increase in funding from the Nexus transport group which is publicly funded. Yet it is refusing to offer a decent pay rise to our members who do highly skilled and safety critical work.
“Stadler need to take a long hard look at itself and think about our members who keep the trains running on the Newcastle Metro.”
Unite regional officer Craig Cuggy added: “Our members have been forced into this action by an employer that is hoarding the increase in funding it was given from the public purse.
“Workers are considering a new offer from Stadler but if rejected we won’t hesitate to head to the picket line in the fight for fair pay.”