A rail union has confirmed its members have voted to go ahead with a 24-hour walkout.

RMT members voted in favour of action on Arriva Rail North - or Northern - after they said the company failed to give assurances over the prospect of driver-only trains.

The union confirmed today that guards and driver members on Arriva Rail North have voted for both strike action and action short of a strike.

Members will strike for 24 hours on Monday, March 13.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members have voted by a massive majority for both strike action and action short of a strike on Arriva Rail North in a dispute which is all about putting public safety before private profit.


Mick Cash "The company now has the best part of two weeks to sit down with us, address the core issues at the heart of this dispute and negotiate a settlement before the action commences."

A spokesman for Northern said: "As our modernisation proposals are still in the early stages, it is a shame that RMT has announced strike action.

"Our aim is to reach a constructive resolution and we urge RMT to continue the talks we have already started.

"We want to protect jobs and pay, and during our recent discussions we offered to consult fully with our people, customers and key stakeholders.

"If strike action goes ahead, our customers can be reassured that we have plans in place to keep them moving. During any strike action, we plan to run a revised service and will shortly release further information."