ARRIVA Northern Trains warned today that the next strike by its conductors will bite just as Yorkshire tourism is gearing up for the year's first Bank Holiday.

The RMT union has confirmed that a 24-hour stoppage will take place on March 28, the day before Good Friday, which marks the start of the Easter holiday period.

This will be followed by two 48-hour strikes on April 5 and 6 and May 3 and 4.

The union said the mood among its conductors was determined, and claimed that management "bullying" had hardened their resolve.

Arriva said it "regretted" the strikes, which would cause more disruption for customers.

"The company is particularly disappointed that one of the strike days falls immediately before the first Bank Holiday of the year, when the region will be looking forward to a welcome boost in tourism," said a spokesman.

"It is especially frustrating as Arriva Trains Northern is making good progress in addressing the inherited problems within the business."

He claimed that a "very fair and reasonable" package had been offered to conductors - a three per cent basic increase plus five per cent productivity - which was based on the same principle agreed with its train drivers.

"Subsequently, the company has sought to explore with the RMT other options, all of which the union have rejected."

He said conductors working for ARRIVA Trains Northern earned on average of about £20,000 a year for an average 42-hour week, which compared very well with other train operating companies' pay.

As a subsidised business, Arriva had to take account of its reliance on taxpayers' money when considering any pay deals, and it could not meet the union's "unrealistic" demands.

He added that the company would provide as many services as possible over the strike periods and would continue to be available for "meaningful discussions" at any time.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the strikes had been "solid" from the start. "And management's bullying has only hardened their resolve."

The union's York branch secretary, Mark Russell, claimed the company had made no effort to resolve the dispute.

"We are always listening for a ways to resolve this and that hasn't changed," he said.

"Everyone, however, is still committed to industrial action, if it is needed."

Meanwhile, a ballot is being prepared for conductors to vote on proposals for 'no fare' days, on which conductors would man services but would not issue tickets.

Updated: 10:46 Thursday, March 07, 2002