Rail travellers warned of Christmas disruption

A rail firm has warned passengers of disruption across its services throughout December after talks to settle a pay dispute broke down.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) rejected Northern's enhanced four-month pay offer for conductors working on Sundays.

Northern boss Matt Rice said the firm wished to apologise for the disruption that this and planned engineering work would cause passengers in the run up to Christmas.

Mr Rice said Northern was disappointed the pay offer had been rejected but they would continue to work with colleagues and the RMT union "to find a new way forward".

An RMT union spokesperson said: "Our members have rejected the offer from the employer and we are now seeking further talks with the company to resolve this issue.”

Conductors would have been given double the money they currently get for working on Sundays under this offer, a Northern spokesperson said.

The firm warned conductor availability was expected to worsen over the Christmas period, with fewer conductors volunteering to work extra shifts or overtime.

Mr Rice said the firm's performance in the North-West had "not been good enough for some time" and they understood the impact on customers.

He said they would continue to work with colleagues and the RMT to find a new way forward.

Northern also warned passengers of planned engineering works in the North West on Sundays in December, with people urged to check before they travel.

An amended Sunday timetable with fewer Sunday services in the North West is due to run from 22 December.

Northern said rail replacement services would be put on where possible if it was forced to cancel services.

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