Tyne And Wear Metro Staff Vote To Strike

23 May 2012, 11:45 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Cleaners and other workers on the Tyne and Wear Metro have voted to go on strike in a row over two separate disputes.

The members of the RMT (Rail Maritime and Transport) Union have decided to walk out in protest at what they call an 'insulting' offer of a 1.3% pay rise.

Cleaners working for DB Regio, who are in charge of running the Metro, say they're not happy about alleged victimisation of a union member, protesting at 'unfair' disciplinary action taken against them.

The General secretary of the RMT Union, Bob Crow said:
"RMT cleaners have shown that they will not put up with victimisation and bullying, and our members employed by DB Regio have given a resounding no to attacks on pay and conditions...we have had no option but to ballot for action in defence of our members' standard of living.

It wasn't transport workers who created this economic crisis and we will not sit back and wait for our members to take the hit in their pockets.

Both of these resounding mandates for action will now be considered by the RMT executive.''

Richard McClean, Managing Director of DB Regio Tyne and Wear, said
"We are very disappointed that the RMT and ASLEF members have voted in favour of industrial action.

We have always said we want negotiations to continue with the unions and for these matters to be resolved without disruption to the services we provide on behalf of Nexus, to tens of thousands of people who use the Metro every day, across Tyne and Wear.

If the RMT and ASLEF would like to delay calling any action until further talks have been held, we would very much welcome that."

It's not clear when the strike will go ahead