COMMUTERS could face train delays over the festive period after train drivers' union ASLEF announced they will be re-balloting their members on strike action.

The trade union today said Arriva Trains Wales has “reneged” on the resolution to the disputes which was made on November 11.

They said they have “been left with no other option than to re-ballot drivers for industrial action”.

ASLEF’s general secretary Mick Whelan said: “After arriving at a deal with Arriva Trains Wales that we were happy to put to our members, the operator has subsequently moved the goal posts by changing the length of the shifts our members are expected to work.”

But Arriva Trains Wales said ASLEF’s plan to re-ballot members follows a “misunderstanding” on their offer.

They believe the misunderstanding is over shift lengths during times of disruption or special events.

HR director at Arriva Trains Wales Gareth Thomas said: “There appears to have been a misunderstanding between the locally elected representatives with whom the detail of the deal was agreed and ASLEF’s national executive.

“Once again, we find ourselves in a position that the parts of the union closest to our people were in agreement with the detail of the deal but the national executive of ASLEF who were not involved in any discussions until November 11, seem to be unclear about the details of the deal which we believed to be acceptable to drivers locally.”

Talks began in June to agree the deal, which agreed a 6.5 per cent minimum pay increase over three years. The current base salary for a driver is £43,869 which would rise to £46,728 over the course of the deal.

Arriva Trains Wales said the deal would also reduce the maximum working day to nine hours, 30 minutes from 10 hours, 30 minutes.

Mr Thomas added: “If we give ASLEF what they are now seeking, we will not be able to guarantee provision of our services during times of disruption.  Industrial action won’t alter this fact.

“ATW has invited the ASLEF national executive to talks, with ACAS if necessary during which we would be happy to share the detailed workings which under pin the deal as contributed to by their locally elected representatives.”