More Metro strikes planned for the New Year

Days after a total shut down of the Tyne and Wear Metro service, more strikes have been announced for the New Year.

The RMT union has notified Nexus of a further two-day strike by train crew on the Tyne and Wear Metro, this time, set for Monday 6 January and Tuesday 7 January.

If the strike goes ahead it will mean no Metro services system-wide, with passengers warned they need to plan ahead to find other modes of transport.

The chosen days include the first days of school and college terms.

• Read more: Christmas shoppers and football fans face major disruption during Metro strike

• Related article: Metro drivers back industrial action over pay, operator Nexus 'astonished'

In November, staff in the RMT and ASLEF unions opted to reject a 15% pay rise over two years on top of annual rises.

Nexus described the deal as "unprecedented" and said it would take their annual salary up to an estimated £46,000 per year by April 1 2022.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, urged union leaders to call off the strike and instead respond to its invitation to hold further talks.

Metro Services Director, Chris Carson said: