Stansted Airport train passengers' thoughts on rail strike

STANSTED Airport train passengers faced delays this morning after staff strikes disrupted services. Following a pay and conditions dispute between bosses and staff at National Express East Anglia, services from the Essex airport are running just once ever

STANSTED Airport train passengers faced delays this morning after staff strikes disrupted services.

Following a pay and conditions dispute between bosses and staff at National Express East Anglia, services from the Essex airport are running just once every hour.

The strike is set to end on Friday night, but three more walkouts have been threatened should union officials not get the deal they want.

One disgruntled passenger spoke to the Broadcast on the platform.

He said: "It really has destroyed my plans for today, I was supposed to be meeting a friends in central London for a business breakfast. I rely on these trains to be on time. I understand why staff are on strike, but I hope it does not go on for too long."

Rail Maritime and Transport union general secretary, Bob Crow, said that he felt they had no choice and apologised for the disruptions.

"Our job only exists because we have got the public using trains," he said. "But criticism must be put in the management's way because they haven't taken us seriously at all.

National Express managers say the unions want a two-and-a-half per cent pay rise, a four-day working week and a four per cent increase in the number of train drivers.

Managing director of National Express East Anglia, Andrew Chivers, said the unions' demands were "unrealistic".

He added: "We offered salary increases above the rate of inflation, and remain available at any time for discussions to reach a sensible, affordable and fair agreement."

"Strike action is unnecessary and simply not the solution and I would like to apologise to our customers.