Talks continue in bid to avoid Arriva Trains Wales strike

About 500 Arriva Train Wales drivers are members of Aslef, which has voted for strike action from Friday

Talks are to continue between union officials and Arriva Trains Wales in an attempt to avert strike action.

Members of the rail union Aslef have voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, with the first 24-hour stoppage due on Friday.

Disruption could increase because that evening the Wales rugby team play Fiji at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is also balloting members with a recommendation for a vote for action.

Further strikes are also scheduled for the following Friday and Saturday, 26 and 27 November.

That Saturday could mean further problems for rugby fans because Wales are again in action at the Millennium Stadium, this time against New Zealand.

Aslef, which has about 500 Arriva Trains Wales members, has described its pay offer as "derisory," and said an "overwhelming majority" backed action.

The RMT is balloting its members at both Arriva Trains in Wales and at Merseyrail over company pay offers.

Arriva Trains Wales' senior management and officials from the ASLEF and RMT trade unions met on Monday to try to come to an agreement.

Talks were continuing and both sides will meet again on Wednesday, said Arriva Trains Wales.

Earlier a spokesman for Arriva said both sides in the dispute came to the table for Monday's talks "with hopes of a resolution".

He added: "From our point of view we will do everything we possibly can to avert strike action".