Industrial action by train conductors in a row over pay and Sunday working is set to hit North East rail passengers this weekend.
A 24 hour strike has been called by members of the RMT employed by TransPennine Express (TPE) and runs from 00.01 to 11.59pm on Sunday.
The union said the company had refused TPE conductors' request to increase pay for staff coming in on their days off and Sundays. It says there is a large discrepancy in pay levels for conductors and other train crews for doing the same thing.
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General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "Our rock solid strikes will bring the network to a complete standstill and the blame firmly lies with TPE management's intransigence on this issue. What we are asking for would cost the company less than the loss of revenue from strike action.
"RMT remains open to talks about properly rewarding our conductors for the crucial role they play in keeping the trains moving."
Meanwhile, TPE has recommending that people avoid travel this Sunday and instead, make their journey either side of the strike day as it will cause significant disruption to its services, with only a small number of trains able to operate.
Those that need to make an essential journey by TPE train should visit its webpage where more information and amended timetables can be found. With significant disruption expected on Sunday, customers are asked to allow extra time and check their journey very carefully before travelling. Due to the strike action, bikes will not be permitted on-board TPE services on Sunday.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, said: “Ongoing strikes by the RMT continue to impact customers' journeys and we are disappointed that we will be unable to provide a full service again this Sunday. Sadly we will only be able to operate a reduced timetable again this Sunday and are recommending that people avoid travel on this day and travel on Saturday or Monday instead.”
TPE has arranged ticket acceptance with several other train companies to support those making essential journeys on Sunday. TPE tickets will be accepted on Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Lumo, LNER (between York and Edinburgh), ScotRail, Hull Trains (between Hull-Brough/Doncaster only) and Transport for Wales services.
Ticket acceptance is also in place for FirstBus services in West Yorkshire for customers who may need to use a bus service to complete a rail journey. Some exclusions will apply and full details are available online.
