RAIL users in North Yorkshire could face lightning strikes every month after union bosses threatened Arriva with a year-long timetable of disputes.

As last-gasp talks to avert the first of two 48-hour strikes appeared to collapse yesterday, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) unveiled a programme of disruption. Arriva bosses said they were "disappointed and concerned", as the RMT came up with another 11 dates for 48 hours of industrial action.

Conductors are already set to walk out in two 48-hour disputes on January 24 and 25 and February 5 and 6.

Yesterday's meeting, which lasted only five minutes and 45 seconds, appeared to have been the final opportunity to avoid strikes. RMT leaders, angry at Arriva's refusal to negotiate on demands for an 18 per cent pay rise, are acting for conductors who are furious at pay increases for drivers which have not been offered to them.

The strike dates, subject to RMT executive committee approval, will mean conductors lose only one day of pay per month.

But they fall on Fridays and Saturdays - Arriva's busiest days.

RMT regional organiser Stan Herschel reiterated the desire to avoid industrial action, but said Arriva had forced the union into a corner.

"Arriva Trains Northern lost the confidence of its passengers long ago - now it has lost the confidence of the overwhelming majority of its staff," said Mr Herschel.

He said 94 per cent of union members had voted for strike action. "The resolve among conductors is unbelievable. Services will come to a virtual halt, but we feel we have been given no choice."

An Arriva conductor, who did not wish to be named, said: "We don't want to be a nuisance to the public, we just want to be paid what we feel is a decent wage."

An Arriva statement said: "Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) is very disappointed and concerned at the outcome of (the) meeting with the RMT."

It added ATN had made a "very fair offer, which would have raised the basic pay of conductors to £16,763 from £15,500 - taking comparable earnings to around £21,500, when income sources like ticket sale commission and overtime were taken into account.

It hoped the RMT would reconsider. "It will be intolerable if ATN's customers have to suffer from industrial action taken in pursuit of a totally unreasonable demand," it said.

The dates, which are subject to change, are: March 1 and 2; March 29 and 30; April 26 and 27; May 24 and 25; June 21 and 22; July 19 and 20; August 16 and 17; September 13 and 14; October 11 and 12; November 8 and 9; December 6 and 7.

Updated: 11:50 Friday, January 18, 2002