XC RMT Strike - is there a discussion somewhere?

[CC 72100]

Do they not have contingency plans available for such scenarios? Yes, resources may be difficult to arrange at short notice, but if there is an available plan, like the normal timetable, then, some of the issues are negated.

In my experience, contingency plans are either associated with a temporary infrastructure defect (so can be launched off the shelf when it occurs) or planned for an engineering block (which is a several weeks in advance job, not 48 hours).

Reinstating a train service at short notice is impossible. Take drivers - they will have been issued diagrams around the original strike train plan. One could assume (I don't know the XC T&Cs) that they now can't be moved turns off their already-assigned hours for Saturday. So if you've got a load of drivers who can claim the strike day on/off times, good luck trying to cover a load of trains several hours before or after those times.

 

[Starmill]

Do they not have contingency plans available for such scenarios? Yes, resources may be difficult to arrange at short notice, but if there is an available plan, like the normal timetable, then, some of the issues are negated.

Network Rail won't agree to publish revised times in a single working day's notice. So no. There's no contingency plan because it would be impossible. The controllers can do it, but, unless you're suggesting a whole team of control staff and desks for them to work at are just sitting around spare with nothing to do... Then they'll have all of their usual tasks to do plus add some extra trains. They may be able to arrange a handful depending on the resources at their disposal.

 

[Snow1964]

There was nothing south of Bristol on strike day (and Bristol-Weston is closed due to engineering work), so reinstating services means finding drivers who know the diversion via Westbury.

Be interesting to see if they can reinstate anything to Somerset, Devon and Cornwall

 

[Starmill]

The reality is, it'll be train planners and Controllers - who may be management grade but aren't the big bosses you're implicitly alluding to here - working their backsides off to try and put an alternative train plan in at less than 48 hours notice.

Funny how they're nearly all TU members too eh?

 

[Russel]

The onus is on the employer now. TU members have been told to work as normal. If management can't get their act together the TU can't be blamed for that.

However, the RMT know that cancelling the strike within 48 hours of it's planned start will not give anyone enough time to reinstate a proper service.

 

[Snow1964]

However, the RMT know that cancelling the strike within 48 hours of it's planned start will not give anyone enough time to reinstate a proper service.

When was the last date XC ran its proper scheduled service (as in zero cancellations).

However it is more than 48 hours to end of strike, so failing to reinstate the Saturday evening service, would just smack of lack of effort.

 

[CC 72100]

Funny how they're nearly all TU members too eh?

Yes... nobody said they were or weren't?

I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make with that statement?

 

[Russel]

When was the last date XC ran its proper scheduled service (as in zero cancellations).

Very true.

 

[Starmill]

Yes... nobody said they were or weren't?

I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make with that statement?

Isn't it obvious? @High Dyke made a clear implication that one group of trade union members (train crew) are doing the right thing, while another group (controllers and HQ staff) is letting the industry and their colleagues down by not having a "contingency plan" or not being able to deliver a full timetable restore in one working day. Honestly I think what was being said was really quite clear.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2025 ==

When was the last date XC ran its proper scheduled service (as in zero cancellations).

However it is more than 48 hours to end of strike, so failing to reinstate the Saturday evening service, would just smack of lack of effort.

How does having 48 hours of notice help? You can't change the train crew hours at 48 hours notice any more than you can at two hours notice. Control may be able to do some of the amendments the day before but obviously they're busy dealing with today today too...

 

[Snow1964]

How does having 48 hours of notice help? You can't change the train crew hours at 48 hours notice any more than you can at two hours notice. Control may be able to do some of the amendments the day before but obviously they're busy dealing with today today too...

To be fair, control found time so write a changed version from scratch. That must take lot longer than issuing an email to everyone saying going back to original plan (with scheduled hours) for the day which you previously had.

They are not changing train crew hours, just confirming short notice alternative wont be in operation.

If the strike is off, staff will be expected to book on as normal, so if there might as well operate the timetable that was agreed at 12+ weeks out.

For clarity if rostered hours have been changed, rather than duties within hours during attendance, then can't just switch back from temporary plan to normal plan as soon as normal working is restored because staff will turn up at wrong time.

 

[MikeWM]

I raised this with the user group and they have an assurance from CrossCountry that the buses will run. This was issued before the strike was suspended.

Thanks - let's hope so, won't be very pleasant otherwise :-/

 

[Starmill]

To be fair, control found time so write a changed version from scratch. That must take lot longer than issuing an email to everyone saying going back to original plan (with scheduled hours) for the day which you previously had.

Planning have done this rather than control.

They are not changing train crew hours, just confirming short notice alternative wont be in operation.

No. If revised STP crew diagrams have been issued in line with the usual process then they'll be the ones worked to. There's no such thing as confirming these "won't be in operation".

If the strike is off, staff will be expected to book on as normal, so if there might as well operate the timetable that was agreed at 12+ weeks out

This is not an option for the reason above, but just as pertinently, Network Rail have published the strike timetable. They can't be expected to turn on a dime, and in any case CrossCountry can't compel them to reinstate the cancelled trains on a day's notice. Changes can be made by control using their usual manual VST procedure.

 

[1D54]

Stations and announcements today still saying no XC services will be operating tomorrow. Ridiculous!

 

[Snow1964]

No. If revised STP crew diagrams have been issued in line with the usual process then they'll be the ones worked to. There's no such thing as confirming these "won't be in operation".

This is not an option for the reason above, but just as pertinently, Network Rail have published the strike timetable. They can't be expected to turn on a dime, and in any case CrossCountry can't compel them to reinstate the cancelled trains on a day's notice. Changes can be made by control using their usual manual VST procedure.

For decades (even when many didn't even have home phones) it used to be that when Industrial disputes were called off, were expected to turn up on time for next shift. And it was always employees responsibility to check when to return.

Ironically now there is faster (instant) communication, rather than having to send runners to people's homes, now cannot change to the default timetable quickly. At one time cut off for changes was 10pm night before, (and I thought it still was, so I am wrong), so gone backwards if now need more than that as notice for the trains. Staff should of course know in advance the time they are expected to book on regardless of the train plan.

 

[Starmill]

For decades (even when many didn't even have home phones) it used to be that when Industrial disputes were called off, were expected to turn up on time for next shift. And it was always employees responsibility to check when to return.

Ironically now there is faster (instant) communication, rather than having to send runners to people's homes, now cannot change to the default timetable quickly. At one time cut off for changes was 10pm night before, (and I thought it still was, so I am wrong), so gone backwards if now need more than that as notice.

It is depot-group specific how far the driver's / conductors / train managers shift times can be moved once they have been diagrammed and what notice is required to be provided for STP diagram changes. Suggesting a 2200 cut off for an unlimited change across the industry would certainly raise some eyebrows if you attempted to get drivers to agree to that where they currently don't. On a more practical level, imagine your shift is due to start at 0900 and you're instructed to attend work at 0500 instead by an email the night before while you're eating your dinner. I am not sure you would be particularly pleased with that outcome...

 

[Russel]

When are we likely to find out if XC have managed to add in any extra services?

 

[Iron_Duke]

When are we likely to find out if XC have managed to add in any extra services?

Barring any major issues, the BHM - PBO service and BHM - LEI service will be back in.

Voyager services will largely run as per the strike timetable, there might be one additional service to Manchester.

 

[Starmill]

When are we likely to find out if XC have managed to add in any extra services?

They will probably appear on https://www.journeycheck.com/CrossCountry last thing tonight or very early tomorrow. Note there's loads of disruption today due to the emergency services dealing with an incident at Worle earlier, and other things.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2025 ==

What a mess and no doubt has caused many pax to book alternative transport and/or routes or cancelled their plans altogether.

The CrossCountry website is still publicly advertising strike action for this Saturday (the 18th)

Worth being aware that CrossCountry have confirmed their ticket restrictions will still be lifted tomorrow so customers can travel on any XC service, and can also still use tomorrow's tickets on the relevant alternative dates. If they haven't yet requested a refund they may still do so too.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Ironically now there is faster (instant) communication, rather than having to send runners to people's homes, now cannot change to the default timetable quickly. At one time cut off for changes was 10pm night before, (and I thought it still was, so I am wrong), so gone backwards if now need more than that as notice.

Given crew will regularly be up by around 0300 for early turns, I'm rather glad they aren't expected to stay up until 2200 the night before just in case there needs to be a change of their start time communicated to them. That would be a lot of drivers driving thousands of people around every day with very little sleep! Thank goodness safety has moved forward.

 

[Russel]

I notice on the XC site, the industrial action on the 1st November is still in place, is this the case still or has the information just not been updated?

 

[CyrusWuff]

I notice on the XC site, the industrial action on the 1st November is still in place, is this the case still or has the information just not been updated?

That's correct. Only today's strike has been suspended.

 

[Russel]

That's correct. Only today's strike has been suspended.

Cynical maybe but I'll look out for an announcement on the 30th then...

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Industrial action for 1st November suspended. Should be able to reinstate timetable with this amount of notice…

Our Ref: BR2/14/2



29th October 2025

STRIKE ACTION ON SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2025 SUSPENDED

BOOK ON FOR YOUR SHIFT AND WORK AS NORMAL ON THIS DAY​

Dear RMT Member,



BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - CROSS COUNTRY



Your Union's negotiating team has been in active discussions with Cross Country in an effort to reach a meaningful resolution to the ongoing dispute.



The company has now provided further documentation and proposed a process aimed at resolving the issues at the heart of this dispute. However, these proposals will require submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) for approval.



Your RMT Union's National Executive Committee has considered the matter and has taken into consideration the views of your Lead Officer and Company Council representatives. Whilst progress has been slow, discussions have continued to move forward. On that basis, the Lead Officer and Company Council representatives have recommended suspending the industrial action due to take place on Saturday 1st November.



Accordingly, the Union's NEC has taken the decision to suspendthe industrial action due to take place Saturday 1st November 2025. Members should therefore book on and work as normal on this day.



I have written to the company to advise them of this decision. However, the Union has made it clear that we expect to see tangible progress and evidence that matters are being resolved. The company has been advised that they have until Wednesday 19th November to reach an agreement on all outstanding items within this dispute.



I will continue to keep members advised of developments.

Yours sincerely,



Eddie Dempsey
General Secretary

 

[Russel]

Let the excuses for why XC cannot possibly be expected to reinstate a decent level of service on Saturday commence...

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Has been confirmed that normal timetable reinstated.

 

[IanXC]

For decades (even when many didn't even have home phones) it used to be that when Industrial disputes were called off, were expected to turn up on time for next shift. And it was always employees responsibility to check when to return.

Ironically now there is faster (instant) communication, rather than having to send runners to people's homes, now cannot change to the default timetable quickly. At one time cut off for changes was 10pm night before, (and I thought it still was, so I am wrong), so gone backwards if now need more than that as notice for the trains. Staff should of course know in advance the time they are expected to book on regardless of the train plan.

What you're missing is that that is for the grade that is for the grade that is undertaking industrial action. In this example RMT members would be expected to attend work at their usual times, but ASLEF members, who have been issued with revised book on times and diagrams were not part of the industrial action and so have revised diagram times, why should their agreements about roster changes be torn up because the RMT changed their mind?

 

[dk1]

What you're missing is that that is for the grade that is for the grade that is undertaking industrial action. In this example RMT members would be expected to attend work at their usual times, but ASLEF members, who have been issued with revised book on times and diagrams were not part of the industrial action and so have revised diagram times, why should their agreements about roster changes be torn up because the RMT changed their mind?

This is very true and what so many do not seem to grasp.

 

[TwinTurbostar]

Further strike action has been announced for every Saturday in December.

With no credible progress being made, RMT members have no other option than to take strike action on the following days:

• Saturday 6 December
• Saturday 13 December
• Saturday 20 December
• Saturday 27 December

RMT announces strike action on CrossCountry

RMT will take strike action on CrossCountry next month after the company failed to resolve long-running issues on pay, staffing and previously agreed commitments.

www.rmt.org.uk

 

[Russel]

Thought this was sorted?

 

[Annetts key]

Thought this was sorted?

Talks have been taking place but CrossCountry have taken the mickey. There are outstanding issues with pay, staffing and previously agreed commitments. They have failed to honour agreements on overtime payments, staff resourcing and wage discrepancies for different grades.

The proposal from the company is worse than previous proposals.