Leeds rail disruption: Union urged to reconsider ‘unnecessary’ strike action as CrossCountry confirm Saturday strike

Strike action will affect services on Saturday, February 19 and Saturday, March 5.

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

The RMT has instructed its members not to work on Saturday, February 19 and Saturday, March 5, which means many CrossCountry services will be cancelled on those days.

Tom Joyner, Managing Director at CrossCountry said: “We are disappointed that we have not been able to find a way forward with our union colleagues. These strikes will cause significant disruption to our services at a time when we should be working together to welcome customers back.

"While we remain open to continuing talks with the RMT to prevent these strikes, we are committed to our approach as this provides the best future for our customers, colleagues and our industry.”

The strike focuses on the use of managers to cover Senior Conductor and Train Manager duties when normal resourcing cannot be applied. It is not about undermining these important roles. There is a long history on the railway and at CrossCountry for managers to be trained in many roles, including the ability to cover Senior Conductor and Train Manager duties.

The long-distance operator, whose services run across the country, including into Scotland and Wales, said it will only be able to run a limited service on the days affected.

CrossCountry is seeking ticket acceptance from the following operators: 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. Up-to-date information will be available on the website.

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

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