AS train strikes continue to disrupt travel this weekend, an end to industrial action may be in sight. JOSEPH TIMAN and SEAMUS MCDONNELL report on the developments which have led to a possible suspension of the strikes.

THE rail union leading the strikes which started last year offered to suspend industrial action on Northern following a government intervention on Thursday.

However, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will walk out today in what becomes the 38th strike, but further planned action could be averted.

The bitter dispute, which sees members walk out for a 15th consecutive week, has been over the role of guards on trains.

Further action is planned for every Saturday in December but will be cancelled if talks go ahead next week.

The union asked to meet with Northern for urgent talks following a government commitment for a second person to be retained on Northern services on Thursday.

Following the announcement, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Firstly I want to pay tribute to the RMT members and our supporters from the ‎travelling public whose solidarity and determination have been instrumental in getting the focus of the dispute back on to the guarantee of a second person on the train.

“It is now imperative that the company clarify the role and safety critical status of that second person as set out by our executive to allow for a suspension of this weekend’s action and for talks to take place.”

The government intervention came from the Department of Transport and Transport for the North which jointly manage the Northern franchise.

Northern welcomed the commitment from the government, saying that any remaining concerns about safety, security or accessibility have now been answered.

The rail company said that today’s timetable could not be changed at such short notice, but changes could be made to next week’s timetable if talks take place in the next few days.

David Brown, managing director at Northern, said: “It’s welcome news that the government has confirmed that a second person will be retained on board our trains.

“There is no reason for the RMT to continue its disruptive and economically damaging strikes in the build up to Christmas.”

Although strikes could be suspended for the rest of December, an extension to the electrification programme in Bolton means that no trains will be running to Manchester and Preston next Saturday.

Today, replacement bus services will be running from Bolton to Manchester Victoria and to Preston.

RMT said it would have suspended today’s strikes if Northern had formally responded to its request by noon yesterday.

It set out three core objectives to be met for the talks to be facilitated. These were:

1. An absolute guarantee that no trains will run without the second member of staff on board.

2. That the second member of staff will be clearly designated as safety critical to the running of all services.

3. That the second member of staff will retain the full suite of safety and operational competencies of the guard, including a direct role at the platform/train interface and train despatch.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr Cash said: “RMT made it clear that we needed a formal response from Northern Rail by noon today to the core principles around the role and responsibilities of the second person on their trains.

“ We are angry and frustrated that no such response has been forthcoming and as a result of the company’s failure the action goes ahead tomorrow exactly as planned. It is deeply disappointing that the company have failed today to meet the union’s call to move the issues forwards.”

However, Northern said that regardless of whether or not RMT went ahead of industrial action today, a revised timetable of around 700 services between 8am and 5pm will be in place.

There will also be planned cancellation to Northern’s services on Sunday.

The company said it has written to the RMT inviting it to recommence Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) talks.

A spokesman for Northern said that it is hoped these talks will take place early next week in order for the strikes on December 8 to be averted.

He said: “Northern has invited RMT to talks at ACAS in order to resolve its dispute. We are pleased that RMT has agreed to recommence talks at ACAS with no pre-conditions and we look forward to resolving this long-running dispute.

“Those talks can build on recent public statements made by Transport for the North and Department for Transport on the customer service and other benefits that will come about with a second person retained on Northern services in the future.”