CrossCountry trains: Staff to strike causing 'significant' festive disruption to services

Train disruption is expected across the festive period as union staff plan to strike.

CrossCountry has confirmed its services will be impacted due to planned action by the RMT (The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers).

The union has instructed its members not to work on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, resulting in the cancellation of many CrossCountry services.

READ MORE: 'Christmas miracle' as 'seriously ill' lost cat returned to family after three years

Tom Joyner, managing director at CrossCountry said: "We are disappointed by the result of the ballot and the intention to strike.

"It’s designed to cause maximum disruption at a time when people are looking forward to spending time with loved ones.

"This is damaging to our industry and importantly our customers at a time when we should be building confidence in travelling by train.

"We remain open to continuing talks with the RMT to prevent this strike. However, the action will cause significant disruption to our services."

What do you think of this story? Log in and join the debate

The strike focusses on the use of managers to cover senior conductor and train manager duties.

CrossCountry argues there is a long history of managers holding a variety of competencies, including the ability to cover senior conductor and train manager duties.

The long-distance operator, with services that run across the country, said it will only be able to run a limited service on the days affected.

CrossCountry tickets will be valid on the following operators (with restrictions): TfL, South Western Railway, Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, Greater Anglia, Govia Thameslink Railway, East Midlands Railway, and West Midlands Trains, Avanti, LNER, GWR, Chiltern Railways and ScotRail.

Customers have been strongly advised to alter their plans and where possible avoid travel on a strike day.

Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android