TRANSPORT UNION RMT confirmed today that rock-solid strike action on Tyne and Wear Metro and the ferries has led to a total shutdown of key transport services on the North East.

Pickets are out in force this morning at the transport control centre, the ferry terminal and other key points as RMT members join with millions of others in the public sector day of strike action over the attack on pensions.

Later this morning, strikers and their supporters will assemble in Gateshead for a march to Spillers Wharf in Newcastle for a rally at noon which will be addressed by a range of speakers from the different unions including Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary.

RMT Royal Fleet Auxiliary members are also involved in the action and pickets are out at Portland, Falmouth and on a joint protest with PCS members in Portsmouth amongst other sites.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT transport workers in the North East and our members on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the service that supplies the Royal Navy fleet around the world in times of both war and peace, are standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of other public service workers involved in the action today.

"We are sending the clearest message to the Government that we will defend our pensions to the hilt and the outrageous demand that our members should work longer, pay more and get less has been thrown back in the faces of this Government of millionaire public schoolboys.

"It's the bankers and the bosses who have gambled with our country's future and the men and women who make our services tick should not have to tolerate a worse pension, and be forced to work longer, to make up for their mistakes."

"RMT members on Tyne and Wear Metro and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have shown that they are not going to sit back and take this outrageous attempt to consign them to a life of poverty in their old age."