CLEANERS on the region’s busiest transport system have confirmed a three-day strike over Christmas.

Members of the transport union RMT will stage a 72-hour walk-out on the Tyne and Wear Metro starting at 10.30pm on Sunday, December 23 as part of a long-running pay dispute.

The union claims that cleaners employed by contractor Churchill’s have been offered no increase in their basic pay.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "In the face of the insulting zero pay offers from the company our members have had no option but to fight back in the battle to eliminate poverty pay".

Sharon Kelly, director of DB Regio Tyne and Wear, which operates the Metro system on behalf of Nexus, said: "This is a matter for Churchill to resolve with its employees and as such as would expect them to work with the unions to find a resolution.

"During the planned industrial action, Metro passengers won’t notice any disruption to services as we are putting contingency plans in place."