From today (Monday 9 June), industrial action by members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) will disrupt CrossCountry services, causing short-notice cancellations.

The company has failed to reach an agreement with the union over the arrangements that apply when staff work on their rest days.

After a ballot of members, the union has called a ban on overtime and rest day working on weekdays and Saturdays. Because the operator relies on staff working above their contracted hours, this will have an impact on its ability to deliver timetabled train services.

The union’s General Secretary, Eddie Dempsey, says that its action is taking place because of CrossCountry’s refusal to negotiate on enhanced pay rates for all grades of staff for overtime and rest day working, accusing the company of reneging on previous commitments to do so. The union has called on the company and the Department for Transport to negotiate with it to settle the dispute.

The industrial action involves union members in all the grades of staff that it organises within the company, including Train Managers and Senior Conductors, who, due to the safety-critical nature of their work, must be working on a train for it to be allowed to run. Other workers involved include train conductors, revenue protection staff, cleaners and onboard catering workers.

CrossCountry operates long-distance passenger train services in all parts of Britain, serving more than a hundred stations. It is based in Birmingham, and runs 240 services each weekday, carrying more than 42 million passenger journeys per year.

CrossCountry is advising passengers that they can find up-to-date information on service levels during the industrial action, together with Information on delay repay and alternative travel options on its website.

“We’re sorry to customers who will be disrupted by industrial action. While we’re working hard to run as many services as possible over this period, we know there will be more cancellations than usual across all routes from Monday 9 June.

“I’d ask those planning to travel to check their journey in advance, as well as on the day. Customers can visit the CrossCountry website or National Rail Enquiries for the latest travel information.”

Richard Morris, CrossCountry’s Service Delivery Director