Strikes loom at CrossCountry Trains, as staff vote overwhelmingly for industrial action

Strike action is looming at troubled operator CrossCountry Trains, following the results of a recent ballot by the RMT union regarding rest day and Sunday working arrangements. The news comes at at a time when the operator has faced severe criticism for the large number of cancellations at weekends – one Sunday seeing 45 trains cancelled. Drivers that have spoken privately to Chime Whistle Publishing say that there are enough drivers and that the cancellations are down to management failures.

In response to the question ‘Are you prepared to take strike action?’ of the 914 eligible to vote, 449 voted yes and and 57 voted no. In response to the question ‘Are you prepared to take industrial action short of strike?’ 487 voted yes and 16 voted no, with three spoiled papers.

The news will no doubt come as a bitter blow to the operator’s new MD Shiona Rolfe, formerly of Amazon and to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

Staff say that “All contingency conductors have had their competency stripped, apart from business critical people who need it such as CSMs (guard/TM managers), safety and training school staff.”, adding “So when the inevitable strike happens, there will be no one to crew the trains”. CrossCountry passengers face more woes from the May timetable change, with the operator telling staff, in an internal email, that catering provision is to be slashed on its services – the operator blaming the Government’s spending review for the cut backs.

CrossCountry train crew helping passengers with their luggage at Stafford station. https://flic.kr/p/2r4tQkN Picture from vast rail picture library.

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