RAIL firm Arriva Trains Northern blasted union officials today after a pay offer to end industrial action was rejected - without members voting on it.

National chiefs at the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) have thrown out a four per cent pay offer to conductors, station and clerical staff.

But they failed to ballot their members on the deal, despite promising that "it will be our staff who decide whether to accept it", only days earlier.

Arriva's pay offer was a sign of considerable movement from the company. Previously the firm had insisted that it could not pay the strikers any more than three per cent.

North Yorkshire's rail services have been severely disrupted since conductors began striking in January, in a protest over pay and conditions.

Ray Price, managing director of ATN, said: "After considerable discussions, we are surprised and frustrated that the RMT Executive Committee has rejected this offer, which was made following strong indications from the union that it would be acceptable.

"We are also extremely disappointed that the union has not taken the opportunity to put the offer to a vote by its members."

But an RMT spokesman denied that rank-and-file staff had not been consulted.

"The company council attended the executive committee meeting and spoke for the members," he said.

"Quite a lot of people have contacted us saying they weren't happy and were negative about the deal."

Meanwhile, lightning struck twice for Arriva passengers at Thirsk, yesterday. After a driver forgot to stop at the station in the morning, passengers were also left waiting nearly 30 minutes for the 3.28pm service which was delayed by signalling and technical problems.

Updated: 11:18 Friday, May 24, 2002