METRO rail workers in north-east England will walk out next week in defence of a sacked union activist.

They will strike for 24 hours on Wednesday next week, May 28 after voting for industrial action.

Train staff said yesterday that they’ll also launch a ban on overtime, rest-day working and non-contracted work.

Transport union RMT has been spearheading improvements in working conditions on the private-run Tyne and Wear Metro workers, winning a 20 per cent pay rise for cleaners on the line after 33 days of hard-fought strike action.

But an RMT activist has been sacked in what the union calls a “fit-up” and an abuse of disciplinary procedures.

Acting general secretary Mick Cash said: “We have made it clear that we will not stand for their tactics and that is why our members voted massively for action in this case and that is why action has been put on for next Wednesday.”

He said RMT is available for talks.