EMBATTLED North-East train company Arriva faced another headache tonight. Members of the moderateTransport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will strike for two days next month in a row over pay for the first time in 30 years.

The union said it will stage the walkout against Arriva Trains Northern on March 1 and 2 to coincide with a stoppage by members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union. The TSSA, which represents around 170 station and ticket office staff, is in dispute over a 3 per cent pay rise while drivers have received 18 per cent.

The union said this highlighted problems across the entire rail industry of disparity in pay between driving and non-driving staff.