STATION staff at Arriva Trains Northern are to hit the firm with another 48-hour strike.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), which represents platform and ticket office staff, will strike next Wednesday and Thursday.

The Thursday will see TSSA members join forces with RMT conductors holding their own 24-hour action.

TSSA members are striking over a pay claim they have been contesting for more than 18 months. Steve Coe, York TSSA Negotiations Officer, said: "The company promised its staff that an offer would be made which would enable us to get back round the negotiating table.

"TSSA members will be bitterly disappointed and let down by the company's apparent lack of urgency in addressing the very real sense of injustice that they feel." An Arriva spokeswoman said: "Both the TSSA and the RMT, which represents ATN's station and retail staff, are aware that the company is firming up proposals to put to the unions following discussions in principle.

"ATN is therefore very disappointed that strike action has been proposed for March 27 and 28."

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, March 20, 2002