RAIL passengers could face a bleak New Year as the threat of strike action returns to the TransPennine route.

Angry conductors are voting on strike action over what they claim is an unfair pay deal to drivers.

A driver retention package has been put together by Arriva to try to combat the shortage that has led to ten per cent of train services being cut in the winter timetable.

As well as a hefty pay rise, drivers are set to receive a £400 Christmas bonus - a bonus that the company has said it cannot afford to pay to other staff.

A copy of Conductor News, an internal Arriva newsletter, states: "Arriva Trains do not have a pay structure that is either fair or transparent.

"Management have totally failed to offer conductors anything like this package. Vote yes for strike action in the forthcoming ballot ... because you deserve better."

The newsletter, from the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union, says that pay talks between the Conductors' Company Council and management have collapsed, leaving workers "no choice but to ballot for strike action".

If industrial action were to take place, it would affect services in the New Year.

One conductor, who asked not to be named, told the Evening Press: "It is insulting that drivers should be offered these huge pay deals when other staff are being totally ignored.

"This is especially important at the moment as massive Christmas bonuses are being handed out to drivers, but somehow they can't afford it for us.

"We are the ones who have to deal with the irate passengers, we are the ones who have to deal with all the abuse, why can't we be rewarded?"

Arriva cut about ten per cent of its services for the winter timetable, replacing the trains with buses because of a severe driver shortage.

The company has been haemorrhaging drivers to other, larger operators who can pay significantly more - sometimes up to £10,000 more.

A spokesman for Arriva said he could not comment on negotiations between the company, staff and their representatives.

Updated: 09:40 Saturday, December 01, 2001