Arriva Rail North has announced that it has formally invited RMT to continue their recent talks by moving to mediated discussions at ACAS.
At the same time, calling off the three days of planned strike action.
Arriva Rail North is working on a big investment into the modernisation of its trains. This includes £500m of new trains now under construction and the retirement of the Pacer trains.
The talks are because of the ongoing dispute over the role of guards on trains.
What did the officials say?
David Brown, Managing Director for Arriva Rail North said:
“Over the last few weeks, further positive talks had taken place to find a resolution to RMT's ongoing dispute. Having invited RMT to continue these talks this week, it is very disappointing the union has announced further strikes on 25 August, 1 and 8 September.
“We can only resolve this dispute by working jointly through meaningful talks. I am fully committed to finding a joint solution which is why I have invited RMT to these ACAS mediated talks.”
“As part of this modernisation, we want to work with our train crews to agree how we can operate more flexibly and deliver services that better meet the changing needs of our customers. This is why we have been holding talks with RMT in the hope of ultimately delivering for our customers through new, modern working arrangements.
“I have also called on them to suspend their planned industrial action to allow these talks to take place and not disrupt our customers over three busy weekends. There are many events planned for the Bank Holiday and I hope that the union will consider the many families making plans for the last weekend of the summer holidays.”
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