Today members of RMT and ASLEF took the first of two planned 24 hours of strike action in response to a decision by Deutsch Bahn Regio (who last year took over the contract) to enforce a real terms pay cut by refusing to meet the workers demand for pay rises in line with Retail Price Index.
The picket line at South Gosforth metro station where most drivers start the day was upbeat, and the metro service didn't any services all day.
In an interview with BBC Newcastle RMT regional organiser Micky Thompson said they were ready to discuss a living wage deal with the DB Regio.
In a parallel dispute Metro cleaners (employed by private contractor Churchills) also voted unanimously to strike over minimum wage pay, victimisations and a demand for free travel passes (which those directly employed by DB Regio and Nexus receive)
The cleaners will strike from midnight on Sunday until midnight on Tuesday with picket lines and protests at Haymarket metro in Newcastle (from 7.30am on Monday)
Last week activists from Anti Cuts Network took part in a street party on the metro with RMT activists in support of the cleaners as part of UKUncut day of action.
Today's picket lines showed ACN activists determined to continue there support for all RMT and ASLEF strikers and metro workers, turning up to support the picket lines and planning over forms of protest throughout June.
The fourth date for action which will involve all workers is Thurs 21 June again expected to shut the system down.
RMT activists are clear as privateers make a profit out of this crisis, they will not accept real time pay cuts, and poverty pay while bosses make profits and take bonuses.
BBC Newcastle coverage
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18346260
Local BBC coverage including strikers and Anti Cuts Network activists on South Gosforth picket line