Rail strike talks collapse

There have been conductors' strikes since January

Talks aimed at ending a deadlocked 10-month rail dispute involving conductors have broken down.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has accused Arriva Trains Northern of refusing to backdate a 4% pay offer for union members.

The union has staged a wave of strikes over several months and plans four more, one-day walkouts before the end of the year.

The company says it is "disappointed" the union has not accepted a two-year deal worth 8.4%.

The RMT is angry that workers not involved in the long running dispute will also get a backdated pay rise.

Shocked and disappointed

After talks at the conciliation service Acas, union general secretary Bob Crow said: "I am shocked and disappointed by the union-busting tactics of management."

Ray Price, managing director, Arriva Trains Northern said: "We are disappointed that the RMT is not prepared to have further talks, however in view of recent comments by the union, we are not surprised.

"What is surprising is that the RMT has just accepted our 4% pay offer for fleet and administration employees and yet is not prepared to agree to an 8.4% two-year pay deal for conductors.

"It is very difficult to understand what the RMT's real agenda is."

He said the company would provide as many services as possible and he claimed and increasing number of conductors have worked on strike days.