More than 50 engineers working on the Tyne and Wear Metro are set to walk out on strike for a fortnight later this month.
The engineers - who are employed by Stadler Rail Service - are taking action as part of a dispute over pay. Although union Unite said it expected the walk-out would cause disruption, ChronicleLive understands Nexus - which runs the Metro - is confident this will be minimal.
Nexus has said it has been assured that Stadler has "contingency plans" in place, and services will continue to operate.
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The walk-out comes as the workers argue a 4% pay offer - which they say is a real-terms pay cut given inflation is spiralling and currently at 12.6% - is not good enough. In October 2020, Stadler won a £300 million contract to build 42 new Metro trains - the first of which are expected to be delivered next year - and to rebuild the Gosforth depot.
The contract also covers maintenance of trains for 35 years. Now, staff will walk out from November 14 to November 28 - and have threatened further action if the pay dispute is not resolved.
Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Stadler brings in huge profits but expects our members to take a pay cut during a cost of living crisis. The company can afford to pay a decent rise and that’s exactly what they should do. Stadler's Metro workforce will have Unite’s total backing as they strike for a fair deal."
Unite cited reported profits of £119m in 2021 and said that while a one-off £1,000 payment had been offered, workers needed to see the basic pay rise more than has been offered so far.
Unite's regional co-ordinating officer Suzanne Reid said: "Any disruption to passengers is entirely the fault of Stadler, which can well afford to table a reasonable pay offer but is refusing to do so. The company must return to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept."
In a statement, a Nexus spokesperson said: “Stadler have assured us that they have contingency plans in place so that Metro services will still operate during the strike, and that disruption will be kept to a minimum. We urge Stadler and the Unite union to find a resolution to this dispute as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for Stadler Rail Services said: "It is disappointing that Unite members have voted to strike, however, Stadler will ensure that any disruption to service will be minimised. We urge the union to maintain discussions with us so that the dispute can be resolved and industrial action averted.
"Throughout the negotiations, Stadler has demonstrated a genuine desire to reach an agreement and we remain committed to this."
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