THE head of a rail union locked in a 11-month dispute with management has told business leaders he isn’t prepared to ask customers whether they agree with the strike action.

Mick Cash - general secretary of The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers - was speaking at a meeting of Eastbourne and district Chamber of Commerce this morning.

He was challenged by chamber director Ashley Pugh as to how the ongoing situation would be resolved.

Mr Pugh said: “We have heard a lot today about the union and why members are striking.

“But what about a resolution?

“Why don’t you ask the thousands of passengers who are being affected and see how they feel?

“And if the majority think you should call off the action, then why wouldn’t you?.”

Mr Cash refused to be drawn and simply said: “What question would you ask the public? It would all depend on the question itself.”

Eastbourne Chamber leaders have been particularly proactive about the ongoing dispute highlighting the damaging effect it was having on members.

Last month members held a 6.45am demonstrations demanding that the union, management and government come together to resolve the dispute.

Chamber President Tim Cobb repeated his plea at the meeting.

He said: “We call on all parties to sit around the table and sort it!”

Mr Cash told the 50-strong audience said guards must remain on every train.

He said: “This is a dispute we did not seek. We did not want a punch up and we did not want to be at loggerheads with this company.

“We want passengers to keep what they had and that is a guard on every train.

“It is particularly worrying for disabled and other vulnerable people.

“We are simply asking for the status quo.

“We didn’t pick the fight. The bosses knew there would be problems with this.

“Members believe that our cause is just and that is why strike action will continue.

“Members have deep rooted concerns and nobody is listening.”

Mr Cash claimed it was a government-driven dispute.

He said: “The government must sanction a deal.

“Why should we give up what we already have? We shouldn’t.”

Mr Cash said 40 per cent of trains are overcrowded and said the union has concerns about how safety is regulated.

“We want a vibrant and sustainable network.”