TALKS have failed to resolve the long running dispute over driver only trains on Northern rail, meaning strikes by RMT members will go ahead on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

The union said it put forward a six point plan aimed at negotiating a settlement, but claimed Northern management refused to discuss them.

The RMT said Arriva, which operates Northern, had reduced the talks process to a “farce” and accused it of a “pig headed attitude”.

Northern had been asked to accept an agreement whereby train drivers release the doors, with a conductor being retained to despatch the train and ensure passengers safely step on and off the platform.

The RMT had also called upon bosses to “submit and circulate genuine, transparent and accurate joint communications advising the workforce of the content of our discussions”.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “It is disgraceful that Arriva have wrecked the talks process and refused to discuss a set of six proposals that could have protected passenger safety and taken us towards a solution.

“As a result of that contemptuous attitude the action goes ahead as planned.”

Richard Allan, Northern’s deputy managing director, said: “During talks on Wednesday we asked the RMT to work with us and agree on the key areas for development of future on-board roles. “Frustratingly the union continues to say no to change as they expand their co-ordinated campaign across the rail network.

“We are firmly focused on delivering a better service for our customers and urge RMT to back our modernisation and investment plans, not take more unnecessary strike action.”

Driver only trains allow operators to do away with conductors, or guards – which the RMT says play a safety critical role – with Northern proposing they take up a more customer facing role at stations instead.