One bus driver told Unite, “I’m struggling to pay my rent, to pay my council tax, to pay for the upkeep of my car that enables me to get to work in the first place. The latest round of industrial action follows two week-long strikes earlier this month and has resulted in all Go North East services, aside from contracted school routes, being cancelled for an indefinite period. Under the law, workers taking industrial action have legal protection for 12 weeks – after which they can be dismissed. As Unite members at Go North East began their first strike week on September 30, that 12-week period would end on December 22. Unite said Go North East drivers and engineers have been offered a "derisory, below-inflation, pay offer" that includes cuts to terms and conditions. They said administrative and clerical staff have not had any pay offer at all. In response, Go North East business director Ben Maxfield said: "Our workforce is beside itself with worry, but instead of a constructive dialogue what we are seeing from the local Unite representatives is moving goal posts, U-turns and knee-jerk reactions, with no consideration of the impact on the travelling public."

Go North East bus strike called off as pay rise is agreed - BBC Go North East bus strike called off as pay rise is agreed - BBC

A beautiful memoir set in a lyrical picture book format about the journey north from Alabama to Nebraska for a family to find a better life. It is the early 1960s and the trip north is not easy for this family as all gas stations and restaurants do not serve Negroes and yes that is the term used in the text. Having a picnic in the car solves the food problem, but the gas station is a little more difficult. The lyrical text is told through the daughter's observations and what makes this book so authentic is that this was the author's experience. This week we are looking at two words which may be confused by learners of English: produce and product. Improve your English with Collins. Go North East had offered a 10.3% pay rise, plus a guaranteed above-inflation pay increase next year too, but that proposal was rejected by 81% of workers who took part in a union ballot last week. Unite has pressed for a 13% increase, but has also complained that drivers at Go North West currently earn an hourly wage more than 20% higher than their North East counterparts. Gentle illustrations support the narrative as the girl watches the familiar landscape pass by. Cotton fields and the segregated gas stations recede, and new landscapes offer the promise of a better life. The problem we have got is the offer is just totally derogatory. It wasn't acceptable. They wanted to be able to basically turn all of the depots against each other and start going to each individual depot going forward to change the terms and conditions of employment. We can't accept that, members can't accept that, we need a decent and fair pay rise with no strings attached."

George Earl

Go North East bus drivers in Unite Union began their continuous strike outside the Go North East Riverside Depot in Gateshead (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) Unite regional officer, Dave Telford, added: "Go Ahead can afford to pay their workers properly and fairly and are choosing not to. Go North East workers at the Percy Main depot on the first day of their seven day strike action across the region (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Go North East propose talks as more than 1,300 drivers and Go North East propose talks as more than 1,300 drivers and

I thought this was an interesting book. I don't know if many students could particularly connect with it considering its about moving across the country to escape prejudice. However, I think they could connect with the struggles that young children to go through that are sort of showcased. Other than the connection aspect, I feel as though the story itself was a good one. You can tell the sadness that goes along with the move and the vivid descriptions do make you feel as though you are on the journey with the family. The only thing I don't fully like are the illustrations. They are dark and kind of dreary. I can understand the dark and sad animations early on, but I feel as though they should have become clearer and brighter as the journey continued on. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. More than 1,300 workers from Go North East have voted for industrial action following "below-inflation offers". The mass walk out is expected to bring bus services in the region to a standstill.

Social Studies- slavery, segregation and the changes made to help provide more equality to everyone I want to see people coming together in the interests of bus users, many of whom are elderly and on concessionary fares, many of whom are in low-paid work – I don’t want to see them suffer. What I want to see is the union and Go North East, who I don’t think are a million miles apart, coming together to get a sensible deal for the future.” Over 1,000 First Glasgow drivers are voting to strike over pay. The Unite members previously rejected a pay offer by 99 percent. Richard Holden, the minister for local transport, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he believed transport bosses and the Unite union were not “a million miles apart” in their negotiations and that “there is a deal to be done”. The Conservative MP for North West Durham, whose constituency includes areas like Consett and Lanchester that have lost bus services due to the industrial action, said he thought the two parties had been “very close” to a deal last week and that there “surely has to be some common ground” to resolve the strike.