A TRAIN driver of nearly 20 years' experience taking part in today's strike said that National Express was the worst company he has ever worked for.

The driver, who works on the Enfield Town to Liverpool Street service among others, said today's walkout was necessary because communication with his company, National Express East Anglia had broken down.

"The thing that bothers most people is that National Express have just paid shareholders a good dividend," he told the Enfield Independent. "Shareholders were told that the company was in profit. Then they come to the drivers and say there's nothing on the table for us.

"A lot of drivers are shareholders too so they know this is not true."

The driver, who lives in Essex and said he could not be identified and keep his job, said that at first National Express offered no pay rise at all but then increased this to one per cent after negotiation.

But the increase would have been linked to a 0.5 per cent increase the year after, as well as a list of revised working conditions.

"They can have us sign on five days a week at five o' clock in the morning and most of aren't happy with that," he said.

The fact that National Express as a whole is currently the subject of takeover interest by its major shareholder, the Spanish Cosmen family, and private equity firm CVC Capital Partners as well as rival company FirstGroup, was proof that it was doing well, he said, and made tying drivers down to a pay deal for two years unreasonable.

He also claimed colleagues were suffering from the company's "draconian disciplinary methods".

"This is the worst company I've ever worked for. A lot of staff are working in fear of their jobs," he added.

He said he could understand if rail users were surprised at workers' refusal to accept a 2.5 per cent pay offer. "They (National Express) have said they're offering 2.5 per cent but that's only for managers, most of us would be more than happy with that."

"I feel sorry for the travelling public but it's the only way to deal with this company. "It's not easy for us either at the moment, we will lose money by doing this. "But when 95 per cent of your staff are voting for it you know there's a real problem."

But Andrew Chivers, managing director of National Express East Anglia said: “The unions’ demands are totally unrealistic, especially in this current economic climate.

“We have 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, simply not the solution and I would like to apologise to our customers.”

More details of alternative journey options are available on the National Rail Enquiries website at nationalrail.co.uk.

National Express East Anglia will provide further updates, including details of train services which will run on the strike days, on their website at: www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com

What do you think of the rail strike? Contact Sarah Cosgrove on 020 8884 7415 or email scosgrove@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave your comments in the box below.