Strikes at Arriva Trains Northern crippled services last week after
conductors belonging to the RMT union rejected the company’s pay offer. The
union organised the 48-hour strike on Friday and Saturday in support of its
demand for a pay increase in line with a recent driver award of 18 per cent.
Arriva has offered a basic increase of 3 per cent with a further 5 per cent
linked to productivity targets. Arriva managing director, Ray Price, believes
the offer is fair. "Our conductors earn on average £20,000 a year for a 42
hour week and their pay rates are very competitive compared to other train
operating companies and the communities they work in." The RMT is planning
another 48-hour strike on 3-4 May.
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