TRAIN services through North Staffordshire and South Cheshire face disruption after workers at Arriva Cross Country decided to stage a month of industrial action in a row over pay and working conditions.

Industrial action on the service, which serves stations including Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe and Stafford, will include a ban on overtime and refusing to pick up litter from trains.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union said the action would start on Monday and continue until September 2 following a 4-1 vote in favour of a campaign short of a strike.

The union claimed that industrial relations had broken down at the company, which runs services across England and into Wales and Scotland.

General secretary Bob Crow said: "Our members have shown their anger at the divisive approach taken by Arriva Cross Country in respect of pay and a wide range of issues relating to working conditions, and this action is aimed at forcing the company back to the table to negotiate a fair deal for all staff.

"This is an example of a rail franchise company looking to maximise its own profits at the expense of the workforce and RMT members have demonstrated how determined they are to secure justice."

Story filed in: Public Transport | News | Stafford | Crewe