Christmas chaos as train Staff Announce Four December Strikes
Christmas travel plans across Britain are set for major disruption after rail workers confirmed a wave of strike action on four key dates in December.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by CrossCountry will walk out on December 6, 13, 20 and 27, in an escalating dispute over pay and staffing conditions. The strikes fall on four consecutive Saturdays, threatening travel chaos for thousands heading home for Christmas and New Year.
The action is expected to severely impact CrossCountry’s nationwide network, which connects Scotland, the North East, the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Wales, the South West, the South Coast and the East of England. The operator also runs key long-distance routes such as the Cardiff–Edinburgh “Three Nations” service.
Engineering works on the West Coast Main Line on December 27 will add further pressure, with passengers likely to rely on CrossCountry as an alternative – only to face more disruption.
CrossCountry: “Disappointing for our customers”
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry, told The Sun:
“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.”
The company has not yet confirmed exactly how services will operate during the strikes, but most trains are expected to be cancelled, with only a limited timetable running..
RMT: “Members have been left with no choice”
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the company had failed to address long-standing concerns.
“CrossCountry has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute and has come back with a proposal worse than what was already on the table. Our members are still facing unresolved staffing shortages, unfair pay outcomes and broken commitments.”
He urged the company to return with a “serious offer” that respects the union’s members.
Further Christmas Disruption from Network Rail Works
The strikes come as Network Rail prepares for £130 million of major engineering works over the festive period. Disruption is expected to last around a month while crucial upgrades take place across the network.
Network Rail chief Helen Hamlin said the Christmas period remains the best time for large-scale works:
“It’s the quietest time on the railway, and some of our big projects simply can’t be done overnight or during a weekend. People may need to return home after Christmas using different routes than the ones they travelled out on.”
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead, check timetables regularly and allow extra time for their journeys.
