Jobs threat at Go-Ahead • Up to 350 jobs could
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be axed by bus operator GoAhead Northern at Tyneside and Wearside.
The threat follows a meeting last month when the 2,400strong workforce settled for an 8.3% pay rise.
The company said it may be forced to close depots at South Shields, Jarrow and Wallsend and reduce the size of its Percy Main and Sunderland depots. However, the more profitable districts at Gateshead and North West Durham will not be as badly affected.
Although the firm said it hoped to avoid redundancies, it stressed it was not prepared to underwrite losses at certain depots: "We need to cut costs to bring them in line with our competitors," says the corn mercial director Chris Moyes.
However, it says jobs can be saved if the union is prepared to accept subsequent pay and condition changes, "which could be fairly unpalatable".
Transport and General Workers' Union district officer, Terry Hammond is convinced all of the jobs could be saved and branch officers are currently negotiating with the firm.
The jobs threatened mainly affect drivers.
Around 200 could go at North and South Tyneside, and another 150 jobs are under threat at Sunderland.