Northern has warned that its services will be severely disrupted on three days next week as rail workers take strike action in ongoing disputes about pay, jobs and working conditions.

ASLEF, which represents train drivers, will strike on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June. Northern is advising passengers not to travel by train on those days.

RMT, which represents all grades of railway workers, including conductors, ticket office and station staff, will strike on Friday 2 June. Northern is advising passengers to check before travelling, as it expects only a few trains to run.

Because the strikes will affect where trains will be located, early morning and late-night services on Thursday 1 June are also likely to be disrupted.

Many schools in the north of England have their half-term break Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June.

To read more on Northern’s view on the strikes, visit its website.

This week (starting Sunday 21 May), Northern began operating its new summer timetable. Most train times remain the same, but the company encourages passengers to check for details specific to their local station.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASLEF and the RMT will cause to our customers.

“This latest round of industrial action looks set to hamper people’s opportunity to explore the region during the half term holidays. It’s understandably very frustrating.

“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”

ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said, “‘We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country – but the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.

“It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the government not to hinder this process.”