Rail workers in the North East walked out on Saturday in the latest stage of ongoing strike action in a row over pay.
Passengers faced disruption as services were cancelled and stations closed across the region.
Aslef and the RMT union voted “resoundingly” to take industrial action against the companies they say have failed to give workers a pay rise matching inflation.
Read more: Rail strikes: No trains running north of York this weekend
North East politicians joined strikers on picket lines across the region, including Middlesbrough MP and former Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald.
Another terrific turnout at Middlesbrough Station this morning from @RMTunion
— Andy McDonald MP (@AndyMcDonaldMP) October 1, 2022
This government just don’t get it.
Enough is enough and people won’t put up with seeing their wages, their terms & concerns conditions & pensions go backwards.
&eiecampaign pic.twitter.com/yVQp87cjgv
Transport union leaders have apologised for the disruption caused by mass walkouts this weekend but said they had been left with no choice
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, speaking from a picket line at Euston station on Saturday, said: “We don’t want to inconvenience the public and we’re really sorry that that’s happening.
“But the Government has brought this dispute on. They [put] the challenges down to us, to cut our jobs, to cut our pensions and to cut our wages against inflation.”
Network Rail workers who are members of RMT began the first of two 24-hour walkouts on Saturday and will do so again on Saturday October 8.
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Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “Despite our best efforts to compromise and find a breakthrough in talks, rail unions remain intent on continuing and co-ordinating their strike action.
“This serves only to ensure our staff forgo even more of their pay unnecessarily, as well as causing even more disruption for our passengers and further damaging the railway’s recovery from the pandemic.
“Passengers who want to travel this Saturday, and indeed next Wednesday and next Saturday, are asked only to do so if absolutely necessary. Those who must travel should expect disruption and make sure they check when their last train will depart.”
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