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Strike causes train cancellations Strike causes train cancellations
(30 minutes later)
No Central Trains services will run on three days over Christmas because of a strike by senior conductors over pay.No Central Trains services will run on three days over Christmas because of a strike by senior conductors over pay.
Talks to try to stop the industrial action on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have broken down.Talks to try to stop the industrial action on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have broken down.
The operator has made an increased offer on top of double time but the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' union (RMT) said it is not enough. The operator has made an increased offer on top of double time but the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' union (RMT) said it was not enough.
Midland Mainline staff said they are striking on the same dates because of a dispute over bonuses. Midland Mainline staff are striking on the same dates in a dispute over bonuses but some services will run.
The firm has insisted its services will not be severely disrupted. Central Trains conductors said they were striking over the "imposition of centralised rostering and Christmas and New Year pay arrangements".
'Holding out''Holding out'
Central Trains conductors said they are striking over the "imposition of centralised rostering and Christmas and New Year pay arrangements".
The firm is the main operator in the West Midlands and stretches to Norwich, Liverpool, Cardiff and Doncaster.The firm is the main operator in the West Midlands and stretches to Norwich, Liverpool, Cardiff and Doncaster.
A spokesman from Central Trains said all other staff had accepted the offer of double time but the conductors were "determined to hold out for a lot more money". A spokesman said all other staff had accepted the offer of double time but the conductors were "determined to hold out for a lot more money".
The company cannot offer any more than the £236 that has already been put forward, the spokesman added. The company could not offer any more than the £236 that had already been put forward, the spokesman added.
Ken Usher, spokesman for the RMT union, told BBC News he believed Central Trains had already decided to shut the network down and accused the operator of being economical with the truth.
"They need approval from the government to shut the network and they just said that straight away, they didn't go away and come back to us.
'Passengers paying price''Passengers paying price'
"Due to the fact that no senior conductors will be available to work on the three strike days, which are 24 and 31 December and 1 January, there will be no Central Trains services running on any of these three days." "Tens of thousands of people will be affected by the closure.
Managing Director Steve Banaghan, added: "We have tried our best to reach agreement with the RMT Senior Conductor negotiators but they are determined to hold out for a lot more money for working this Christmas. "We are available for discussions but they have to talk as well - they are being economical with the truth and that's being kind."
Central Trains managing director Steve Banaghan said: "We have tried our best to reach agreement with the RMT senior conductor negotiators but they are determined to hold out for a lot more money for working this Christmas.
"Given that all other staff, including other parts of the RMT, have already accepted our offer we cannot offer any more money."Given that all other staff, including other parts of the RMT, have already accepted our offer we cannot offer any more money.
"Without senior conductors we can't run a train service, so this means that passengers will be paying the price at one of the busiest times of year for travel.""Without senior conductors we can't run a train service, so this means that passengers will be paying the price at one of the busiest times of year for travel."