Go North East Workers Set for Indefinite Strike Over Pay
Over 1,300 Unite union members at Go North East are gearing up for an indefinite strike starting October 28. This fresh walkout follows a week-long strike and another week slated to begin tomorrow, ramping up their battle for better pay.
Union Furious as Go Ahead Refuses Fair Pay
Unite regional officer Dave Telford slammed Go Ahead, Go North East’s parent company, accusing them of having the cash but refusing to pay workers fairly. He said, “Our members don’t want to strike but are being forced to take this action by an employer who refuses to deliver on fair pay. Our door remains open for a new offer, and Go North East needs to come back to the table.”
Strike Hits Drivers, Engineers, and Depot Crews Across North East
The strike affects a broad swathe of staff including drivers, engineers, maintenance teams, and depot workers across depots in Consett, Gateshead, Hexham, Percy Main (North Shields), Sunderland, and Washington.
Company Offers 9.5% Pay Rise, But Workers Demand More
Go North East said it “could not have tried harder to solve this dispute,” putting forward a revised offer of a 9.5% pay hike. But with talks at a standstill, the looming strike threatens to disrupt services and hit the wider community hard.
