Series of 24-hour strikes for rail firm

Tens of thousands of commuters face a series of 24-hour strikes over the next six months as part of a long and bitter pay dispute involving Britain's biggest rail union.

Bob Crow, the leader of the RMT union, announced 10 day-long stoppages by conductors who have already staged 13 walkouts in protest at a 4 per cent offer.

Nearly 700 staff at Arriva Trains Northern will strike on 13 July, 25 July and from noon on 23 August to noon the following day. Further stoppages will take place on 21 September, 19 October, 9 November, 14 December, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

In a separate dispute over restructuring, RMT members working in station and retail jobs for the train operator will strike for 48 hours from 27 June. "Arriva have told the world that there is no more money and that there is no chance of a negotiated settlement, so we have no option but to intensify our strike action," said Mr Crow.

He said the company, which runs services all over northern England, had been claiming its hands had been tied by the Strategic Rail Authority.

"If that is true, it is outrageous that the same government-appointed authority which gave its blessing to the drivers' 18 per cent settlement should now be blocking a fair deal for other staff in the company," he said.

He said there were indications that the SRA was waiving penalties for poor performance on strike days. "That means they are taking sides with the company against the workforce. The Government could step in to instruct the SRA to allow Arriva to offer a fair settlement."

A spokesman for the company said management was disappointed by the union's decision, but not surprised.

The official said the company stood ready to resume "meaningful" talks, but said the RMT had refused to accept the involvement of the conciliation service Acas.

He said drivers had received a higher pay rise because they had been prepared to make concessions to improve productivity.

* Leaders of Britain's 5,500 air traffic control staff threatened a "damaging strike" this summer unless there was a substantial improvement in a 2.2 per cent pay offer.

However, the controllers' union Prospect said there had been "positive signs" that National Air Traffic Services was prepared to respond to union concerns. Prospect members have voted four to one to reject the offer.