ARRIVA Trains Northern has condemned the "naming and shaming" of staff who are defying strike action by conductors.

It emerged last night that a list of staff continuing to work on strike days is being circulated on the Internet.

Arriva says the move is intended to intimidate workers not supporting the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union's dispute over pay.

The train company has blamed local RMT officials for publishing the names amid an increasingly bitter war of words between the two rival camps.

The Northern Echo understands that Arriva has now banned staff from using company computers, faxes and telephones to distribute any information relating to the strike.

The website containing the list of names slams the strike-breakers, who include managers taking on other duties, as "scabs".

It adds: "These people are the lowest of the low, people who have succumbed to management propaganda and greed."

Last night, Arriva Trains managing director Euan Cameron said: "We urge the RMT to devote their energies to the resolution of disputes instead of intimidating employees and making misleading and inaccurate accusations."

RMT regional organiser Stan Herschel said the union disassociated itself from "naming and shaming" strike-breakers.