Continuous Go North East strike begins as solution hopes flounder

Go North East (GNE) drivers who are members of Unite began continuous strike action on 28 October after rejecting what the union calls an “insulting” pay offer. The stoppage follows earlier strikes in an increasingly acrimonious dispute.

On 25 October, GNE said that it had reached “a breakthrough in talks” with Unite ahead of the latest planned action. The operator said that a 10.3% increase was offered, to deliver an hourly rate of £14.15.

Drivers were also guaranteed an above-inflation rise in 2024 under the proposal, GNE added, noting that such a position had been reached despite the business “making losses of £4.3 million in its most recent published accounts.”

It is understood that Unite recommended acceptance of this offer. However, 81% of votes on a turnout of 93% were for rejection. That left the operator “baffled,” says Business Director Ben Maxfield.

The action at GNE is the latest in a spate of long-term stoppages that have hit the bus industry as some parts struggle to reconcile strong wage demands with the post-pandemic financial landscape.

Mr Maxfield adds that GNE “responded to each and every one” of Unite’s demands, and claims that the strike action is “entirely of the union’s own making.”

GNE says that when details of the latest offer were first announced, indicative surveys of drivers showed a mood towards acceptance. However, it now believes that “lobbying by trade union representatives to force a ‘no’ vote [has] proved successful.”

Unite claims that GNE drivers are paid up to 20% less than those employed by Go North West in Greater Manchester – which suffered a long strike of its own in 2021 – and that many of its members at GNE have had to cut back on things such as food and energy. The union adds that a need to work long hours causes “nightmarish stress” for some drivers.

Mr Maxfield had earlier countered that claim by saying that GNE staff had been “worried sick” about the damage that the stoppage would cause.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham has weighed in on the dispute. She claims that GNE is “betraying” its staff and that parent Go-Ahead Group is “awash with cash.” Unite will back its members at GNE “to the hilt” in the action, which Ms Graham says can only end with a better offer.

Only contracted home-to-school services and a small number of other routes, including a DFDS ferry terminal shuttle, are being operated by Go North East during the strike. The operator’s season tickets are being accepted on the Metro light rail network “where appropriate,” local PTE Nexus has said.