Rail union bosses warned today they are prepared to “dig in for the long term” in their dispute with National Express East Anglia.

More than 150,000 commuters have suffered four days of strikes and face four more if agreement is not reached.

The union warning came as the two sides met at Acas, the conciliation service, but they were said to be “miles apart” in agreeing over pay and working conditions. Leaders of train drivers' union Aslef, RMT and the TSSA, are ready to order more stoppages if there is no deal. They say there will be a “total lockdown” of NXEA routes to and from Liverpool Street station on Thursday and Friday with the TSSA joining in for the first time.

Keith Norman, general secretary of Aslef, said if no deal is reached further strikes will occur on 20 and 21 August. RMT leader Bob Crow said: “NXEA is refusing to take the issues seriously and recognise the anger among their staff.” Mr Norman added there was “no truth” in NXEA claims that the union had demanded a Ł1,000 salary increase.

NXEA has offered a one per cent increase but, say the unions, this is conditional on “unacceptable conditions”.

• 

  Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

  Shortlisted at today's Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels

  ---

• 

  Spread of the Jedhead

  Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

  ---

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories