TODAY the Evening Press can reveal full details of the secret driver deal which has Arriva conductors striking.

We have obtained a leaked copy of the contract which gave the rail operator's drivers major pay rises and bonuses.

And we can also reveal how they compare with the terms offered to conductors in Arriva "workshop" meetings with The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), a week ago.

The details emerged as both sides prepared for a second bout of industrial action.

Strikes now appear to be unstoppable tomorrow and on Wednesday after weekend talks ended without agreement.

The drivers' contract document, signed by Arriva personnel bosses and by driver representatives, confirms a £28,000 salary for qualified drivers with more than 12 months experience.

That rise, from £23,766, also confirms the near-18 per cent increase conductors claim drivers received.

Drivers also received a £400 one-off payment on December 1. Further benefits included:

- A minimum of £500 salary top-up for every driver who gains "minder" responsibilities. There is no limit on the number who can become "minder" drivers

- A chance to "buy out" annual leave not taken in 2001

- Double time for bank or public holidays

- Amendments to rostered leave, plus an increased hourly rate of overtime.

The RMT say that when conductors were offered a salary of £17,300 in workshop talks last week, they were asked to forfeit a host of conditions, including: sick pay for the first seven days (drivers are being paid it at the old salary rate of £23,766), withdrawal of their New Year's Day leave, and losing 2.75 days of annual leave for every four weeks off sick.

The workshop notes also talk of the "potential to save four posts".

Conductors are striking in protest at the drivers' deal. They claim the wage increases and bonuses given to drivers in that contract have not been offered to them.

RMT negotiators are threatening Arriva with a 48-hour strike, tomorrow and Wednesday.

Further disputes are planned once a month, throughout the year, unless a deal can be negotiated.

When shown a copy of the contract by the Evening Press, Mark Russell, RMT York branch secretary, said it was because of this driver deal that conductors were striking.

An Arriva spokeswoman made no comment on the leaked document, but said today that "discussions were continuing" between themselves and the RMT.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, February 04, 2002