Arriva Trains Wales starts legal fight to avert strike

Arriva Trains Wales is applying to the High Court for an injunction to stop the strike

Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) is launching legal proceedings to avert a planned rail strike after pay talks failed.

Rail union RMT and ATW held meetings in Cardiff on Monday but were unable to reach an agreement to head off Friday's planned action.

The strike is due to take place on the day of the opening Six Nations match between Wales and England in Cardiff.

The RMT said it would not comment ahead of ATW's application to be heard in the High Court in London on Wednesday.

Legal papers were served on RMT on Monday, said ATW.

ATW operations and safety director Peter Leppard said: "We have done everything we can to bring this situation to a resolution and we are now seeking a court injunction to stop the planned industrial action.

"We are sorry for the obvious inconvenience this will cause to passengers but continue to urge the RMT, who represent around 100 of the total 620 drivers, to suspend their action for this important rugby event and to accept this generous pay offer."

ATW said it had offered a 12% pay rise over two years but the union disputed the figure.

Vale of Glamorgan Conservative MP Alun Cairns called on the assembly government to intervene, saying he had no sympathy for the train drivers.

He said the strike would be a "disaster in terms of PR, a disaster in terms of organisation and a disaster in terms of health and safety".

"The situation on Friday will be horrendous and impossible for those travelling on trains into Cardiff," said Mr Cairns, who is also AM for South West Wales.

"Not only will it send the wrong message to the rest of the UK and potential investors, but it will be disastrous if it isn't stopped."

The assembly government said Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also Welsh transport minister, had urged both sides to agree a "sensible" outcome.

A spokesperson said: "The deputy first minister has been in regular contact with management at ATW throughout this dispute, and has reminded the operator of the contractual agreement they signed up to when taking over the franchise, which is to provide a high-quality service for the people of Wales.

"The minister has urged both parties involved to come together urgently and agree a sensible and amicable outcome to these negotiations."

ATW said it had offered drivers a "generous" 12% pay rise over two years, taking a driver's basic salary to £39,117.

The union said the rise for this year was actually 3.7% and an effective pay cut.

The train company last week put forward the possibility of using conciliation service Acas to help reach an agreement.

Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign with an evening match against England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

An estimated 32,000 fans usually use ATW's services on Six Nations match days.

ATW employs 617 drivers of which 129 are in the RMT, with the remainder in the Aslef union. ATW does not expect the other drivers to cross the picket line.