Striking Go North East drivers 'injured' on picket line

Bus drivers on the picket line at the depot in Washington on Wednesday

Bus drivers taking industrial action have been injured on the picket line at two depots following confrontations with working staff, says union Unite.

Two striking workers at Go North East's Washington depot were hurt in separate incidents involving moving vehicles on Monday, it is alleged.

Another worker was injured at Percy Main depot on Tuesday, says the union.

Unite said members "had the right to lawfully picket without fear". Go North East has denied the claims.

The bus company's business director Ben Maxfield said there was "no evidence" of any such incidents taking place.

It comes as about 1,300 drivers from all six of Go North East depots walked out on Saturday, after last-minute talks over pay and conditions collapsed.

The firm has been unable to run any of its bus services since industrial action began - aside from contracted school journeys - leading to widespread travel disruption.

Dave Telford, from Unite, said Go North East workers had been injured

The union alleges the skirmishes took place between striking workers and the bus firm's support staff who are not taking part in the week-long industrial action.

Two picket line members were injured in two separate collisions, one with a bus and one with a car, both at the entrance of the Washington depot on Monday where a picket line has been set up.

Another person was reportedly injured on the picket line after a clash involving a car at the firm's depot in Percy Main on Tuesday.

The bus firm refutes that working staff members have engaged in such behaviour.

It follows an internal memo from the firm issued earlier this week, and seen by the BBC, which warned against "frayed tempers and poor behaviour" among striking staff.

In the memo, the company claimed those on picket lines were "pretending" to have been injured, suggesting some had stood in front of vehicles to "impede their progress".

'Police investigating'

Unite's regional officer Dave Telford said members had suffered injuries and the union had contacted police about the incidents.

"Our members have the right to lawful assembly and protest, as well as the right to lawfully picket without fear for their safety," said Mr Telford.

Northumbria Police said it was aware of a man being struck by a passing bus in Washington, but his injuries were not believed to be serious.

It added that their inquiries were continuing.