TRAIN company staff have today threatened to strike over unfair pay differences, the Evening Press can reveal.

Services from York to Leeds, Manchester Airport and Scarborough would be affected in the run-up to Christmas if the proposed industrial action by Arriva workers goes ahead.

In a desperate attempt to beat the driver shortages that have caused key services to be scrapped, the embattled train operator is poised to offer a £4,000 pay rise, shorter working hours and a £400 Christmas bonus to drivers.

But the proposals have caused uproar among other Arriva staff, already paid significantly less than drivers, who have had pay rise claims turned down.

"You cannot imagine the outrage this has caused," said one employee, who asked not to be named for fear of losing his job.

"There has always been a pay differential of around £10,000, but this is making the already large gap worse. Why should they be eligible for this extra incentive? We are the ones who have to deal with the public on a day-to-day basis."

He added that verbal abuse was a "daily feature" of the job now, and that minor physical assaults were common and often went unreported.

"With the railways as they are at the moment, you can imagine the anger of passengers over delays. So where is our pay rise? It is disgraceful."

Drivers have been leaving the company in droves as they can earn almost £10,000 more at larger companies such as GNER and Virgin, but the new offer would see pay go up to £28,000.

A spokesman for the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union in York confirmed that industrial action was a possibility.

"If the company does not come up with a suitable offer for our members then we will be balloting for strike action," he said.

"We would hope to be meeting with the company on this issue fairly swiftly."

He added that if staff were to strike, the action would be likely to take place in the pre-Christmas period.

A spokesman for Arriva said: "Negotiations over pay and conditions are between the company and staff. We would not wish to comment further."

Updated: 11:28 Wednesday, October 10, 2001