A RAIL union today urged its members to stand firm after bosses at Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) made a new effort to entice them back to work.

The company has given its conductors, station and retail staff represented by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) the opportunity to return to work and accept a four per cent basic pay increase.

This is despite the RMT rejecting that deal in a meeting of its national executive committee last week.

ATN claims that many workers are "disillusioned" that they were not given the chance to vote on the offer.

ATN has reached agreement with the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), which represents other station and clerical staff.

The TSSA announced yesterday that it would be recommending the company's four per cent offer to its members.

RMT conductors have been striking since January in a dispute over pay and conditions. They are due to strike again on June 1.

Ray Price, managing director of ATN, said: "We made a genuine and fair offer in a bid to resolve the current disputes.

"Many of our employees are telling us that they are disillusioned by the RMT's decision and that they would have preferred the opportunity to vote on the offer themselves.

"We can understand their frustration and therefore have extended the offer direct to our employees so they can choose for themselves.

"We are not undermining the union by making this move however we recognise that our conductors, station and retail staff are losing money every day they strike."

But Stan Herschel, York organiser at the RMT, said: "We will not be influenced as our dispute is just and fair.

"This is not surprising given the tactics that ATN has used up till now.

"My advice to my conductors is to stand firm. Their future is in the union's capable hands."

Mr Price said: "Our offer reflects will over double the rate of inflation and comes with no strings attached.

"The RMT has accepted other train companies' offers well below the offer we have on the table."

Updated: 12:25 Wednesday, May 29, 2002