The company runs a number of key routes in and out of Manchester
CrossCountry has issued a warning to passengers(Image: PA)
A train company is warning passengers of ‘signfificant disruption’ on the August bank holiday weekend due to industrial action.
CrossCountry staff, including train managers and Senior Conductiors, who are members of the Rail and Maritime Union (RMT), will be taking part in strike action on Saturday, August 23 and Monday, August 25.
The Manchester Evening News understands this is over allegations that the firm have failed to honour key agreements on staffing, safety and pay.
CrossCountry, which runs services on a number of key routes in and out of Manchester, say they are ‘disappointed’ and want to come to a resolution.
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A company spokesperson said: “We are working with the RMT and remain available to continue talks with these scheduled for later this week.”
The union says members voted ‘strongly’ for the aciton but that they are they open to further talks.
The company says no services will be running on Saturday, August 23 and say they ‘strongly advise’ passengers not to travel that day and to travel either side of the bank holiday weekend, or obtain a refund.
Some staff will be available to run a ‘very limited’ service on Monday, August 25 between 8am and 6pm, however bosses say these will be very busy.
Specific journey details are to be provided early next week, however they say there will be no CrossCountry services between Birmingham, Reading and the South Coast, and no service between Leicester, Cambridge and Stansted Airport.
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There will only be a very limited service to the South West and north of York.
On the Monday, planned enginerring work in the West Midlands also means those trains that do run, will take longer.
Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s Managing Director, said: “We are disappointed for our passengers that the RMT has announced strikes on Saturday 23 and Monday 25 August.
“It is hugely disappointing to not operate any services on Saturday, knowing the inevitable disruption to many of our passengers’ journeys over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“We are committed to reaching an agreement with the RMT and remain available to continue talks.”
An RMT spokesperson said: “Our members have voted strongly in favour of industrial action, and we are seeking further talks with management to bring about a negotiated settlement.”