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Strike due to hit rail passengers Strike due to hit rail passengers
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of train passengers will have to find alternative ways of travelling across the Midlands because of a 24-hour strike.Thousands of train passengers will have to find alternative ways of travelling across the Midlands because of a 24-hour strike.
The action by conductors on Central Trains means there will be no services throughout the day.The action by conductors on Central Trains means there will be no services throughout the day.
But the company said it hoped to provide a reduced service on two other days involving industrial action - New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.But the company said it hoped to provide a reduced service on two other days involving industrial action - New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The RMT union said the dispute was over holiday pay and working arrangements.The RMT union said the dispute was over holiday pay and working arrangements.
Earlier in the week, talks to try to stop the three days of strikes broke down when the RMT rejected an increased pay offer.Earlier in the week, talks to try to stop the three days of strikes broke down when the RMT rejected an increased pay offer.
The company said it could not offer any more than £236 it had already put forward.The company said it could not offer any more than £236 it had already put forward.
Central Trains conductors said they were striking over the "imposition of centralised rostering and Christmas and New Year pay arrangements".Central Trains conductors said they were 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 services stretch to Norwich, Liverpool, Cardiff and Doncaster.The firm is the main operator in the West Midlands and services stretch to Norwich, Liverpool, Cardiff and Doncaster.
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." Central Trains spokeswoman Rachel Webstersaid the company had tried hard to stave off industrial action.
"On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day we are looking at how many services we may be able to run," she said.