Major rail strikes have been planned on four December dates
The RMT union has announced rail strikes for December(Image: PA)
Travellers are set to face disruption over Christmas after rail workers announced a series of strikes throughout December.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport RMT union announced on Friday (November 21) that its CrossCountry members will walk out over pay and staffing disputes on multiple Saturdays next month.
The union said it comes after a proposal by the rail company which was described as “worse than what was already on the table”.
CrossCountry serves more than 100 stations across the UK. Based in Birmingham, the network connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities, including Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, with more than 42 million passengers every weekday.
Workers on Cross Country services are striking over long-running disputes over pay, staffing and “broken commitments”, the RMT union said.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Cross Country has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute and has come back with a proposal that is worse than what was already on the table.
CrossCountry trains connect major UK cities(Image: PA)
“Our members are still facing unresolved staffing shortages, unfair pay outcomes and broken commitments.
“RMT members have been left with no choice but to take strike action.
“The company must return with a serious offer that meets the commitments it has already made and treats our members with the fairness and respect they deserve.”
Shiona Rolfe, managing director at CrossCountry, said: “We are disappointed for our customers that the RMT has announced further industrial action.
“We’ve worked hard to make a fair and reasonable offer that addresses the key points raised in this dispute, and we’ve made meaningful progress in negotiations.
“Our priority remains reaching an agreement that avoids disruption for passengers in the busy Christmas period, and we are ready to continue talks at any time.”
CrossCountry is yet to confirm how the strike will impact services, but it is expected that trains will be cancelled and a limited timetable will be running.
Other train services will also be disrupted over the festive period due to essential engineering works across Network Rail, so passengers are advised to check their journey ahead of time.
List of December dates impacted by strikes
The strikes will happen on Saturday’s throughout December, but will not take place on any Christmas public holidays.
The CrossCountry industrial dates are:
- Saturday, December 6
- Saturday, December 13
- Saturday, December 20
- Saturday, December 27