THE Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is talking to the two rail companies bidding for one of Arriva Trains Northern's franchises, the Evening Press has learned.

Stan Herschel, York RMT organiser, said he was prepared to suspend the nine-month rail strike, if Connex or First indicated they would take part in meaningful talks on the conductor and station staff dispute.

Both rail operators are up against ATN for the prestigious Transpennine Express franchise, which runs trains from Newcastle through York to Liverpool and Manchester.

The RMT has indicated it is unwilling to talk any further with ATN about the strike, which has been ongoing since January, unless it considers those talks to be "meaningful".

Mr Herschel said preliminary meetings with First and Connex had been "amicable". He added that any suspension of the strike would only apply to workers who moved onto the new Transpennine Express services.

The Strategic Rail Authority, as part of its review of rail services in the region, decided to split the rail network into two separate franchises, Transpennine and Northern.

Mr Herschel said: "I have had an interview with First group and Connex. It's a common practice. They have explained their processes and I was quite pleased with the outcome.

"If either were to get the Transpennine franchise, and should meaningful talks take place, I would indicate to those conductors who are going to work for that company that, in the first instance, I would suspend strike action while those talks took place."

Mr Herschel added that ATN had been unwilling to enter meaningful discussions with the union.

Ray Price, managing director of ATN, said: "This statement demonstrates that the RMT is more interested in prolonging this dispute rather than working with us to bring about a resolution for its members."

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, October 12, 2002