STRIKES could cripple Arriva Trains Northern as early as January 15 if workers vote to take industrial action.

Leaders at the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers are set to hit the beleaguered rail company with a series of 48-hour strikes.

The action, which could target Arriva's prosperous weekend services, will take place if, as is expected, the results of a ballot favour disputes.

Before Christmas, union bosses balloted Arriva conductor grade members after pay talks broke down.

At the heart of the dispute is a difference in pay scales between drivers and conductors.

Currently on £15,500 a year, conductors are looking for a £6,500 salary increase in response to a reported 50 per cent increase recently awarded to drivers.

Their demands have been flatly refused by Arriva bosses. Now, with the results of the ballot due to be known on Tuesday afternoon, York RMT regional organiser Alan Heath warned that members would bring financial misery to the embattled operator.

"We want to give maximum disruption to the company and the minimum to commuters. They are our future," he said.

"I think the results will be overwhelming (in favour of strike action) given the feedback we have received.

"We are not asking for the same as drivers. But conductors have been offered three per cent, while drivers have been given 50 per cent.

"It is the members who are leading this action. I think, if action is voted for, we would look at 48 hours action, probably on a Friday and Monday.

"This will go on until we get a new offer from Arriva which brings a reasonable comparison with drivers."

An Arriva conductor, who asked not be named, added: "Once the ballot ends on Tuesday, we have got to give the company seven days notice.

"Effectively we can't take any action before January 15. This ballot will be overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

"It is the only way we are going to be able to show management that we mean business and that we won't be downtrodden any more.

"What we have been offered is not realistic and we are fully determined to fight."

An Arriva spokeswoman said: "Employee negotiations are between ourselves and our employees."

Updated: 08:33 Friday, January 04, 2002