UNION leaders were meeting their Arriva counterparts in York this morning in a bid to ward off the threat of strike action.
A meeting was due to take place at Arriva's city offices, in Station Rise, between representatives of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and management at Arriva Trains Northern.
On the agenda will be finding a solution to the threat of strike action which could paralyse North Yorkshire's rail network later this month. The RMT has called two 48-hour strikes for January 24 and 25, and February 5 and 6, after conductors and guards at Arriva voted overwhelmingly in favour of walking out.
They are protesting at pay deals and bonuses for drivers which have not been offered to them.
Before the meeting, York RMT regional organiser Alan Heath said: "We will be discussing any means of resolving the industrial action. I hope it will be a constructive meeting as we are getting very close to the time for strikes to begin. I am hopeful of achieving something today. At least we are round the table now."
An Arriva spokeswoman said: "Discussions are continuing."
Updated: 11:04 Friday, January 11, 2002
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