A BITTER and long-running rail dispute over the role of guards looks set to continue into the new year with a series of 24-hour strikes.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Arriva Rail North will walk out on January 8, 10 and 12.

They will be joined by workers at South Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, and the Isle of Wight’s Island Line, while those on Southern will strike on January 8.

The strikes will cause fresh disruption to passengers, days after rail fares increase.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Every 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.

“No one should be in any doubt, these disputes are about putting the safety of the travelling public before the profits of the private train companies

“It is frankly ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate long-term arrangements in Scotland and Wales that protect the guards and passenger safety but we are being denied the same opportunities with rail companies in England. This suspension of normal industrial relations by the employers has to end if we are to make progress towards a solution that guarantees safe rail travel for all.”

Richard Allan, Arriva North’s deputy managing director, said: “Northern is committed to investing in new and updated trains, better stations and faster journeys for our customers.

“Northern is still prepared to guarantee jobs and pay for conductors for the rest of our franchise to 2025 if we can reach agreement on how our colleagues deliver better customer service using those fantastic new facilities.

“Additionally, last week the Government wrote to RMT, guaranteeing employment for conductors beyond 2025 if RMT ends its dispute.

“We will be working hard to keep customers on the move during these strike days.”

Mr Cash added: “It is the dead hand of the Tory Government that is interfering in these disputes and their influence is a factor in preventing the union from reaching negotiated settlements.

“With fare increases kicking in on January 2 it is outrageous that Prime Minister Theresa May and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling are happy to stand aside and cheer on overseas rail companies that rip-off the British passenger with eye-watering fair increases to subsidise their domestic transport operations while throwing the guards off our trains.”

Mr Cash said the Government should lift its “blockade” on talks in the separate disputes to allow the union to negotiate “freely” with the companies.