BOLTON commuters are set to be hit by the fourth day of strike action since the start of March.

Rail union RMT has confirmed that staff on Arriva Rail North, which runs Northern, will strike for 24 hours on Tuesday, May 30.

The strike day will come the day after the bank holiday weekend as people return to work.

RMT said it was ‘angry and frustrated’ and accused Arriva of ‘rejecting point blank every attempt to try and broker a safe and sustainable settlement to the dispute’.

The union is seeking a guarantee that all Northern services will have a second member of staff as the company plans to introduce a minimum of 50 per cent driver controlled services.

Richard Allan, Northern's deputy managing director, said: “It is frustrating for us and our customers that RMT has announced further strike action for Tuesday 30 May.

"We urge RMT to get back round the table with us for open-minded, meaningful talks on the role they can play in delivering the modern railway that people of the North want and deserve.

“We want to protect jobs and current pay and, as we have said before, are willing to offer future, annual pay reviews for existing conductors if we can agree a deal. RMT’s dispute will not be solved by unnecessary strike action – but instead by working with us to deliver the modern trains, services and stations our customers want.”

Picket lines will be held at locations across the Northern routes on May 30.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The sheer intransigence of Arriva Rail North means that we have no option but to confirm a further 24 hours of strike action . The responsibility for the inevitable disruption lies wholly with the company. We are angry and frustrated that Arriva continue to face up to the facts and also continue to ignore a perfectly reasonable union proposal to invite the DfT to join us in three way talks aimed at finding a solution.

“The public, who support RMT’s campaign for a guarantee of a guard on their trains, will be appalled that Arriva Rail North have failed yet again to offer any kind of progress whatsoever in the talks and have instead opted to try and bulldoze through their plans regardless. It is that flagrant disregard for the safety issues at the heart of the dispute which leaves us with no option but to press on with the campaign of strike action.

“RMT commends our Arriva Rail North Members on their rock solid display of strength, resolve and unity during the action so far in opposition to the introduction of driver controlled operation and defence of the guards to guarantee a safer, securer and more accessible railway for all. We have no doubt that they our members will remain united and determined as we prepare for the next phase of action in a fortnight.

“The union continues to remain available for meaningful discussions with the company in order to seek a satisfactory resolution to the on-going dispute.”