Go North East (GNE) bus drivers have taken an unusual step to bring an end to an ongoing strike over pay, which began on October 28th. In an effort to resolve the dispute, a delegation consisting of two bus drivers and two union officials from GNE travelled to Canada to meet with representatives of a union in Toronto. This union in Toronto is associated with a company that holds a significant stake in Go Ahead, the parent company of GNE’s operators.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has expressed its intention to use its influence to advocate for fair treatment of workers within the Go Ahead group of companies. Meanwhile, GNE has reiterated its commitment to reaching a mutually acceptable agreement with the striking employees.
The strike has significantly impacted GNE’s operations, with approximately 1,300 employees from various depots, including Gateshead, Sunderland, Hexham, Washington, Percy Main, and Consett, participating. The disruption has caused inconvenience for passengers and raised concerns about public transportation in the affected areas.
The decision to travel to Canada signifies a new approach in resolving the strike. The delegation’s visit is understood to be the first of several planned meetings with international firms connected to Go Ahead unless a resolution can be reached. Suzanne Reid, the regional co-coordinating officer for Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, emphasised the need to address the dispute on an international scale, stating that local efforts have not yielded a solution.
It’s important to note that OPSEU does not own direct stakes in Go Ahead but has connections to the OPTrust, which holds controlling shares in Kinetic, a New Zealand-based company, and Globalvia, a Spanish-owned entity. Both Kinetic and Globalvia have ownership stakes in Go Ahead.
OPSEU’s president, JP Hornick, expressed solidarity with Go North East workers in their struggle for fair wages. He asserted that the company can afford to resolve the dispute and described it as a crucial fight for decent pay and conditions, as well as defending the right to bargain collectively. Hornick pledged to use all available means to pressure Go Ahead through OPTrust to treat working people decently.
The OPTrust clarified that its officials attended the meeting with Go North East drivers while respecting the collective bargaining process and refraining from direct intervention in the negotiations.
Back in England, Go North East continued to collaborate with Unite the Union to seek a resolution to the dispute. The company has offered a 10.3% raise this year, followed by an above-inflation increase next year, which it describes as unprecedented. However, Unite is seeking pay rates that match the £15.53 per hour rate at Go North West.
In response, Ben Maxfield, the Business director at Go North East, stated that the offer of £14.15 per hour would make their drivers the best-paid in the region.
While the outcome of this international endeavour remains uncertain, it highlights the growing attention and complexity of labour disputes in today’s globalised world, where unions and workers are increasingly seeking support and solidarity beyond national borders.
Newcastle Magazine has reached out to Go North East for comment but has yet to receive a response.
