A
three-month deadlock threatened to culminate in strike action on the Newcastle
Metro system has been resolved after a deal was brokered.
Nexus,
operators of the North East rail system, came to an agreement with four unions
by offering a 3.8 per cent pay
increase, backdated to October last year, and a £100 lump sum.
The
transport group also promised free travel for the partners of 580 staff on buses, Metro and Arriva trains at an estimated cost of £319,000 to the
firm.
It’s
understood that the partnership deal will extend to gay and lesbian staff
working on the Metro system, which runs over and underground.
The
dispute and possible strike action had threatened to disrupt the unveiling of
the Sunderland line extension, due to be opened by the Queen on 7 May.
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