Talks to avoid further East Midlands Trains industrial action

The Aslef dispute resulted in six one-day strikes

Negotiations are taking place to avoid possible industrial action by a second union representing East Midlands Trains employees.

Drivers represented by the Aslef union have been striking throughout May.

Depot workers represented by Unite have now voted for industrial action over pay and reduced pension contributions.

But the staff, based in Nottingham, Derby and Leeds, were offered an improved pay deal during the ballot, and this is now being considered.

Unite represents about 175 staff who work for East Midlands Trains, out of a total of more than 2,000 staff.

No date set

The depot workers were offered a 3.3% pay increase earlier this year, and this offer was increased to 3.8% on 15 May.

East Midlands Trains and Unite did not want to comment while the negotiations were continuing.

A date has not been set for any industrial action.

The Aslef dispute - which resulted in six one-day strikes - was just over reduced pension contributions, and not pay.

Ballot papers are currently being handed out to East Midlands Trains staff represented by the RMT union.

This dispute is also over reduced pension contributions, and the company has urged RMT members not to follow their Aslef colleagues in an "unnecessary and unhelpful" strike.