Conductors are threatening strike action, but Press Transport Reporter Steve Carroll is told by Arriva Trains Northern's communications chief that their lot is not a bad one

OVERTIME, commission from ticket sales and Sunday pay - that's the life of a conductor at Arriva Trains Northern, the company's management claims.

With strike action looking likely to start next week, Julian Evans, Arriva director of corporate communications, said the company was offering conductors a fair deal.

Mr Evans told the Evening Press that conductor-grade staff at Arriva earned more per hour than at GNER, and benefited from overtime and even commission from ticket sales on trains.

But furious conductors have attacked the revelations.

Mr Evans said: "We believe we have made them the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) a fair offer.

"Conductors at the moment are on average earnings of around £20,000 a year.

"They get 33 days holiday, including public holidays, and on top of that they receive commission payments for the sale of tickets. They also receive payments for Sunday working, which drivers do not get.

"Conductors are receiving almost a pound an hour more than those at GNER - £8.49, compared with £7.85.

"What we are offering is a package that would take their basic salary from £15,500 to £16,700.

"That includes a three per cent cost-of-living increase, together with a five per cent increase which is productivity driven.

"The idea of suggesting that there is a need to mimic what's happening with drivers we don't think is at all acceptable.

"We believe the package we have offered is not one which is unreasonable."

Conductors and guards are set to walk-out in the first of two 48-hour disputes on January 24 and 25.

The action, which would bring North Yorkshire's train network to a standstill, has been sanctioned by the RMT because conductors are furious at pay increases to drivers, which have not been offered to them. An RMT spokesman said: "It is true that conductors can earn this amount of money if they work a lot of overtime and all their rest days.

"We are disappointed that these details have been released. Conductors earn £15,500 a year. Everything else, including overtime payments, they cannot rely on.

"Conductors are giving up their free time to earn a decent wage. That cannot be right."

Updated: 10:14 Saturday, January 19, 2002