ARRIVA bosses last night accused a union of being "out of touch" as a fresh strike by train conductors got under way.

Conductors for Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) are staging the latest in a series of walkouts today and tomorrow in a dispute over pay. They have rejected a pay package based on a three per cent basic increase, plus five per cent from productivity gains.

ATN says it will be able to provide more than 55 per cent of services over the next two days despite the stoppage by Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members.

Managing director Ray Price last night said: "There are no winners in this dispute. In fact, everyone loses - our customers, our employees and our business.

"We talk to all our conductors and the vast majority are telling us they want to return to work. The RMT tend to talk to only those that are very active in the union so it would appear that they are out of touch with their membership."

Mr Price again said the RMT had rejected a number of options aimed at ending the dispute and was continuing to make unreasonable pay demands.

But the company remained available for "meaningful discussions" with the union.

RMT representatives have said that their members are "solid" in their support of the union stance and will continue industrial action for as long as is necessary.

Passengers using ATN trains over the next two days should check before they travel by calling the company on (0870) 602 3322 or National Rail Enquiries on (08457) 484950.