Go North East workers agree pay deal to bring an end to the strike action

Unite has confirmed that its workers at Go North East have agreed a pay deal with the travel operator, bringing an end to ongoing strike action.

Staff started industrial action on Saturday, October 28, due to issues over pay.

The union has confirmed on Friday, December 1, that a 11.2% pay increase for drivers, engineers and administrators at Go North East.

Unite members were balloted on the deal earlier this week and have chosen to accept the offer.

The details of the pay deal include a backdated pay rise of 10.5% from July 1, 2023, with a further 0.7% rise in January 2024.

There will be another pay increase on July 1, 2024, which will rise in line with RPI, subject to a minimum 4% increase.

It means that a driver currently earning £12.83 an hour will see their pay rise to £14.17, backdated to July, before it rises again to £14.27 in January.

If inflation is at 4% in July 2024, their pay will then increase to £14.84 an hour.

The same pay deal has been secured for all engineers and administrative staff earning up to £40,000 per year.

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Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, has praised Go North East workers for standing firm with the strike action until they secured a better pay deal.

She said: “Go North East workers should be congratulated on their victory for better pay. They stood together in unity until their employer returned to negotiations and made an improved offer. 

"Make no mistake, Unite Is here to fight for workers, I will do whatever is needed to help workers secure good pay deals, that commitment has been clearly demonstrated during this dispute. “Unite the union keeps winning across the passenger transport sector and securing better pay for our members.”

The accepting of the pay deal means that Go North East services will now resume from Saturday, December 2.