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31 January 2011
Last updated at 03:27 ET
Talks will take place to try to avert a "disastrous" train strike on the day of the opening Six Nations match between Wales and England in Cardiff.
Rail union RMT and Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) are meeting to try to thrash out an agreement ahead of Friday's planned action.
ATW said it had offered a 12% pay rise over two years but the union disputed the figure.
The train company has said it may take court action to stop the strike.
Vale of Glamorgan Conservative MP Alun Cairns called on the assembly government to intervene, saying he had no sympathy for the train drivers.
He said the strike would be a "disaster in terms of PR, a disaster in terms of organisation and a disaster in terms of health and safety".
"The situation on Friday will be horrendous and impossible for those travelling on trains into Cardiff," said Mr Cairns, who is also AM for South West Wales.
"Not only will it send the wrong message to the rest of the UK and potential investors, but it will be disastrous if it isn't stopped."
The assembly government said Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also transport minister in the assembly government, had urged both sides to agree a "sensible" outcome.
An assembly government spokesperson said: "The deputy first minister has been in regular contact with management at ATW throughout this dispute, and has reminded the operator of the contractual agreement they signed up to when taking over the franchise, which is to provide a high-quality service for the people of Wales.
"The minister has urged both parties involved to come together urgently and agree a sensible and amicable outcome to these negotiations."
Court injunction ATW said it had offered drivers a "generous" 12% pay rise over two years, taking a driver's basic salary to £39,117.
The union said the rise for this year was actually 3.7% and an effective pay cut.
The train company last week put forward the possibility of using conciliation service Acas to help reach an agreement.
It also said it may seek a court injunction to stop the industrial action.
Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign with an evening match against England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
An estimated 32,000 fans usually use ATW's services on Six Nations match days.
ATW employs 617 drivers of which 129 are in the RMT, with the remainder in the Aslef union. ATW does not expect the other drivers to cross the picket line.
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Rail union RMT and Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) are meeting to try to thrash out an agreement ahead of Friday's planned action.
ATW said it had offered a 12% pay rise over two years but the union disputed the figure.
The train company has said it may take court action to stop the strike.
Vale of Glamorgan Conservative MP Alun Cairns called on the assembly government to intervene, saying he had no sympathy for the train drivers.
He said the strike would be a "disaster in terms of PR, a disaster in terms of organisation and a disaster in terms of health and safety".
"The situation on Friday will be horrendous and impossible for those travelling on trains into Cardiff," said Mr Cairns, who is also AM for South West Wales.
"Not only will it send the wrong message to the rest of the UK and potential investors, but it will be disastrous if it isn't stopped."
The assembly government said Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also transport minister in the assembly government, had urged both sides to agree a "sensible" outcome.
An assembly government spokesperson said: "The deputy first minister has been in regular contact with management at ATW throughout this dispute, and has reminded the operator of the contractual agreement they signed up to when taking over the franchise, which is to provide a high-quality service for the people of Wales.
"The minister has urged both parties involved to come together urgently and agree a sensible and amicable outcome to these negotiations."
Court injunction ATW said it had offered drivers a "generous" 12% pay rise over two years, taking a driver's basic salary to £39,117.
The union said the rise for this year was actually 3.7% and an effective pay cut.
The train company last week put forward the possibility of using conciliation service Acas to help reach an agreement.
It also said it may seek a court injunction to stop the industrial action.
Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign with an evening match against England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
An estimated 32,000 fans usually use ATW's services on Six Nations match days.
ATW employs 617 drivers of which 129 are in the RMT, with the remainder in the Aslef union. ATW does not expect the other drivers to cross the picket line.
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