2:07PM, Fri Jun 15, 2012

Metro Strikes Cancelled: Trains Will Run For Springsteen Stadium Of Light Gig

By James Marley Location: Tyne and Wear

The Boss: Fans won't have to take the bus

Planned strike action that would have closed the Tyne and Wear Metro system on Thursday July 21 has been suspended.

The industrial action would have affected tens of thousands of fans travelling to the Bruce Springsteen concert at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Sharon Kelly, Customer Service Director at Metro operator DBTW, said: "Talks on the pay dispute have now concluded and we can confirm that all three unions have agreed to suspend industrial action on Thursday 21 June.

“RMT and Unite are balloting their members with a recommendation to accept our pay offer and ASLEF are currently consulting their executive committee. However, suspension of action is definite for all three unions.

“Employees will receive a 2.1 percent or £520 pay increase, whichever is the greater, stretching to 3 percent depending on current pay.

"They will also receive a £300 payment - this is the 2011/2012 ‘Red Book Bonus’ paid in full, plus a one-off bonus payment of £200 for the consolidation of the Red Book Bonus for future years, plus additional travel benefits.

“The pay award to members of staff will be funded through efficiency savings within our organisation and not through any additional contribution from Nexus.”

Coldplay: Fans managed to make it on time despite strikes

The entire Tyne and Wear Metro system was brought to a standstill by an earlier strike date on Thursday June 7, as around 55,000 Coldplay fans made their way to another mammoth gig at the Stadium.

Additional bus services and advance warnings to fans to arrive early and plan their journeys meant the disruption was greatly reduced.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “DB Regio tabled an improved offer that represents a substantial shift in the company’s position, and as a result the RMT executive has suspended next Thursday’s action in order that our members can consider it.

“Our members are to be congratulated for the rock-solid action they took last week, which gave our talks team the leverage needed to deliver movement from the company.”

Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “We are pleased that there is an agreement and Metro services can return to normal. Passengers will be relieved.

"This has been a difficult and damaging dispute for the region. We will be encouraging all sides to build a better and less confrontational long term relationship for the future.”