More Metro misery for passengers as Nexus announces 'poor' service on day five of industrial action

Nexus, the operator of the Tyne and Wear Metro service, has announced that there will be ‘poor’ service across its network on Thursday, December 5, as industrial action enters its fifth day.

The action taken by drivers in the ASLEF and RMT unions started on Sunday, December 1 and comes after drivers in the two unions decided to shun a 15% pay rise offer.

However, Aslef has said its 50-strong members working for the Metro are calling for the same level of pay they could get for another operator and as a result the unions have withdrawn overtime.

This means Metro train crew are not working any additional paid voluntary shifts.

Nexus says runs Metro as a public service without profit – all the money it receives in fares go towards the cost of operating, including employee wages.

It says it cannot afford to go beyond the offer it has made.

In a statement on the Nexus website the operator said: “As a result of reduced driver availability some trains have been cancelled today, we will have gaps in service and trains will be very busy.

“If possible leave extra time for your journey or use alternative transport.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience.”

A list of affected journeys can be found on the Nexus website but are subject to change.

Passengers can also keep up to date on the Metro Twitter account: @My_Metro.