Train passengers and commuters are to face further disruption next week after drivers on Arriva Trains Wales voted to take fresh strike action.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said its members will walk out for another 24 hours on Wednesday January 19, following industrial action last month in a row over pay.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT has rejected a paltry offer from the company that would have left our members out of pocket and which was loaded with strings.
“Our members would have ended up with inferior working conditions for a de facto pay cut. We have had one rock solid strike and yet still the company refuse to see sense and we have no option but to bring our members out for another 24 hours.
“Arriva Trains Wales continues to show us in the clearest possible terms that they have no wish to properly reward the hard work and loyalty to the staff and are motivated solely by the drive for bigger profits to line the pockets of the shareholders.
“With the second day of action now on, it is down to Arriva Trains Wales management to get back to the table to seriously negotiate a pay offer which improves the work-life balance of drivers and which properly rewards their staff. Without the hard work and commitment of our members there would be no company profits and it’s high time that Arriva Trains Wales recognised that.”
A spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Wales said: “While we believe we have offered a very generous pay offer of 8% in year one and 4% for year two that would take the salary for a 35-hour week to £39,117, we had already agreed to meet with the RMT this week to continue our discussions.
“We are disappointed that the RMT is choosing to strike while these negotiations are taking place as that will significantly inconvenience our customers.”
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