RAIL staff will go on strike again next month as a bitter argument over the future of train guards continues.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Arriva Rail North, which runs Northern Rail, will stage a 24-hour walkout on November 8.

The union said it had made ‘every single effort’ to resolve the disputes, accusing the train operators of ‘suspending’ normal industrial relations.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces and we are left with no option but to confirm a further phase of industrial action.”

Richard Allan, deputy managing director of Arriva Rail North, said: “Northern is committed to delivering new trains, faster journeys and better stations for customers. We are prepared to guarantee jobs and pay for conductors for the next eight years if we can reach agreement on how our colleagues deliver better customer service using those fantastic new facilities.

“RMT is striking yet again at Northern and on several other train operators. We remain available for talks that are meaningful and clearly focused on how we deliver better customer service in the future.”