THE blame game has started between a rail company and unions over why talks to avert another two days of strikes did not take place over the weekend.

Talks resumed yesterday aimed at averting another 48-hour strike planned for Thursday and Friday, which will again cripple the rail network in Essex.

Discussions between National Express East Anglia and the RMT union and train drivers’ union Aslef were held last Friday, but there were no further talks until yesterday.

Both unions say talks halted for the weekend due to problems with getting management and Acas – which has been called in to help during the dispute – to work at weekends.

But National Express says the unions are to blame.

Spokeswoman Ellen Rossiter said: “The unions were not prepared to sit down again until Monday.”

However, Geoff Martin from the RMT, said: “There’s no unwillingness on our part, but Acas officers don’t work weekends.”

Chris Proctor, for Aslef, added: “We meet whenever we all can and that depends on when Acas can be there.”

Managers say the unions want a 2.5 per cent pay rise, a four-day working week and a 4 per cent increase in the number of train drivers.

The action has already crippled the network across Essex, making it difficult for commuters to get to work with only one train running an hour to London Liverpool Street.

The RMT and Aslef have already held two 48-hour strikes and are set to walk out again on Thursday and then again on August 20 and 21.

If talks fail to break the deadlock, booking clerks from the Transport Salaried Staff Association are also expected to join the strike.

Aslef is setting up a hardship fund to support drivers facing financial difficulties because of the strike, as it believes the dispute could drag on.

Keith Norman, general secretary of Aslef, said: “We can frankly, see no solution to this dispute in sight, and it looks as if we’ll have to dig in for the long term.”

Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia, said: “We remain thoroughly committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement for this year’s pay award.

“The unions’ demands have so far been unrealistic despite an improved offer.

“We are asking the unions again to suspend the strikes.”