Go North East passenger fears he may have to move because of strikes

A restaurant worker fears he may need to move home because of an indefinite bus strike by some Go North East staff.

Jonathan Vassallo, who lives in Birtley, is unable to reach work in Newcastle without the bus, and faces a £35 round trip by taxi to get there.

About 1,300 Go North East workers are striking as their pay does not match rates elsewhere, the union says.

The bus company, which is unable to run any services, says it is "committed" to resolving the dispute.

Mr Vassallo earns up to £73 per shift after tax deductions. He says he cannot afford to pay for taxis while buses are halted because of industrial action

"It's a third of my wage", the zero-hour contract worker said.

He has spent £200 on a bicycle to cover the seven-mile commute (11km) to work, but fears he would have to rely on taxis if strikes continue into the winter.

"I am going to have to use more taxis as the bad weather comes, and that is going to mean more bills not getting paid [at home] - and it's putting me behind.

"I've even offered to move out of this flat and move in with my friend, who is also struggling, so we can halve our bills... just because of the strikes."

Passengers previously told the BBC they hoped the dispute would be resolved to avoid spiralling costs for alternative transport.

But there is public support for the workers.

Daniel Murray, who travels from Consett to Newcastle and Durham, said he supports the strikes as drivers "don't get paid enough".

Workers' union Unite, which called the action, said the company had "dragged their feet and refused to make a decent pay offer".

Last week members rejected the latest offer by 81% - on a turnout of 93%.

The offer tabled had proposed hourly rates of £14.15.

Go North East drivers are currently paid £12.83 per hour and Go North West drivers are paid £15.53 per hour, the union said.

Unite's regional officer, Mark Sanderson has apologised to bus passengers "sincerely and genuinely" for the disruption caused by continuing industrial action, which the union has said could go on indefinitely.

"Our members don't want to do this. They love what they're doing, they want to get back to work, but unfortunately they have been forced into this."

The bus operator has previously said it was "baffled" by the rejection of its most recent pay offer.

Go North East business director, Ben Maxfield, said: "Drivers wanted an above-inflation deal, no changes to conditions, and top-of-the-market rates.

"We responded to each and every one of those demands, which makes it hard to understand why the union would press ahead with 12 weeks of industrial action."

The company has insisted Go North West workers were paid more because "they are on different rostering arrangements and different conditions".

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