Bus passengers are being warned to expect disruption after engineers employed by Go North East announced strike action in the week before Christmas.
The 150 engineers have rejected a 10% pay increase, which they say is a real terms pay cut with the true inflation rate (RPI) standing at 14.2%. The engineers will begin strike action on Monday, December 19, with the dispute ending on the morning of Sunday, December 25.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Go Ahead is an extremely wealthy company that can fully afford to pay its workers a fair pay increase. Its failure to do so is all about boosting its profits and not about affordability. Our members at Go North East will receive Unite’s unflagging support."