XC RMT Strike - travel advice queries

[Jimini]

Quick q: I've got (split) tickets from Reading to Coventry and back on the 6th December. Assuming the IA goes ahead, how does the validity work? Will I be able to travel via Paddington and Euston, or will I have to buy a new via. London ticket and apply for a refund on the ones I've already got? TIA

 

[P Binnersley]

Unless you have advances or operator specific tickets the original route should still be possible (but slower).

GWR will be operating Reading-Oxford & Oxford-Banbury. Chiltern to Leamington then West Midlands to Coventry.

Check the XC website nearer the date, but I suspect they would rather refund you than make alternative arrangements.

 

[Jimini]

Unless you have advances or operator specific tickets the original route should still be possible (but slower).

GWR will be operating Reading-Oxford & Oxford-Banbury. Chiltern to Leamington then West Midlands to Coventry.

Check the XC website nearer the date, but I suspect they would rather refund you than make alternative arrangements.

Nice one, cheers. I'd forgotten about the Oxford <> Banbury rattler!

 

[Starmill]

New tickets would be likely to cost more, so I would advise everyone to hang onto their current tickets at present. It's common for alternatives to be in place even if they're actually not widely communicated, so the obvious strategy is to wait. I would also expect it to be the case that if a handful of XC services do run, they will unofficially be taking any tickets, and obviously there will also be an easement to use original tickets for a few days either side.

At the end of the day it's XC who are letting consumers down, not the other way around.

 

[Martin_1981]

My dad is has return tickets from Leicester to Exeter, out on Sat 20th, back on 27th. He's determined to travel on those days and won't go via London. My suggestion to him (not that he ever bloody listens mind) is, assuming worst case scenario with no XC services those days, are either:

Option 1:
Bus from Leicester to Coventry
Coventry to Birmingham NS (Avanti XC or West Mids Trains)
Birmingham NS to Worcester Shrub Hill (West Mids Trains)
Worcester SH to Bristol TM (GWR)
Bristol TM to Exeter SD (GWR)

Option 2:
Bus from Leicester to Coventry
Coventry to Leamington (West Mids Trains)
Leamington to Banbury (Chiltern Trains)
Banbury to Reading (GWR)
Reading to Exeter SD (GWR)

Told him whichever option he chooses will take probably twice as long as usual with all the changes.

 

[1D54]

My dad is has return tickets from Leicester to Exeter, out on Sat 20th, back on 27th. He's determined to travel on those days and won't go via London. My suggestion to him (not that he ever bloody listens mind) is, assuming worst case scenario with no XC services those days, are either:

Option 1:
Bus from Leicester to Coventry
Coventry to Birmingham NS (Avanti XC or West Mids Trains)
Birmingham NS to Worcester Shrub Hill (West Mids Trains)
Worcester SH to Bristol TM (GWR)
Bristol TM to Exeter SD (GWR)

Option 2:
Bus from Leicester to Coventry
Coventry to Leamington (West Mids Trains)
Leamington to Banbury (Chiltern Trains)
Banbury to Reading (GWR)
Reading to Exeter SD (GWR)

Told him whichever option he chooses will take probably twice as long as usual with all the changes.

Well if he does choose the Leicester to Coventry bus make sure he gets the Arriva X6 service and not the Stagecoach 148 as that will save him an hour

 

[davews]

How are the Birmingham to Stansted trains likely to be affected by these strikes? My sister in law lives in Melton Mowbray and may be returning home on the 27th. Do we have to assume there will be no trains on that line?

 

[dk1]

How are the Birmingham to Stansted trains likely to be affected by these strikes? My sister in law lives in Melton Mowbray and may be returning home on the 27th. Do we have to assume there will be no trains on that line?

She’ll have the choice of two Norwich bound services at 05:42 & 06:54 if nothing else runs.

 

[CyrusWuff]

How are the Birmingham to Stansted trains likely to be affected by these strikes? My sister in law lives in Melton Mowbray and may be returning home on the 27th. Do we have to assume there will be no trains on that line?

Based on previous strike plans, they'll be cancelled.

The usual plan is a limited service on:

• Birmingham - Bristol
• Birmingham - Leeds/York
• Birmingham - Manchester
• Birmingham - Reading

So core Voyager routes only.

 

[ruaival]

Based on previous strike plans, they'll be cancelled.

The usual plan is a limited service on:

• Birmingham - Bristol
• Birmingham - Leeds/York
• Birmingham - Manchester
• Birmingham - Reading

So core Voyager routes only.

... on to Bournemouth is then well covered (imho) by Reading - Basingstoke (GWR)
Basingstoke - Bournemouth (SWR)

I was able to switch my own Manchester to Bournemouth 13/12 travel to the day before, given well priced Advance tickets still available at only £4 higher than original ticket.

 

[Jimini]

I got an email from GWR this morning confirming that five out of six of my services / tickets for the 6th have been cancelled, FYI. Guessing they've updated the timetable to reflect the likely skeleton service now?

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Can anyone advise the prospects for someone making a journey from Macclesfield to Oxford on Sat 27 December? I am planning Christmas movements for an elderly relative and they have a reservation for the 10.46 ex Macclesfield, and a confirmed Passenger Assistance booking, but I can find no indication from XC of whether that train (or any others that day on that route) are likely to run, and whether there is any risk of the Macclesfield stop being skipped (as has apparently happened in some previous disruptions).

XC seem to be saying "we are still trying to work things out" - any ideas of when they will have decided what they will be doing, please?

 

[Jimini]

Can anyone advise the prospects for someone making a journey from Macclesfield to Oxford on Sat 27 December? I am planning Christmas movements for an elderly relative and they have a reservation for the 10.46 ex Macclesfield, and a confirmed Passenger Assistance booking, but I can find no indication from XC of whether that train (or any others that day on that route) are likely to run, and whether there is any risk of the Macclesfield stop being skipped (as has apparently happened in some previous disruptions).

XC seem to be saying "we are still trying to work things out" - any ideas of when they will have decided what they will be doing, please?

Latest advice:

Incident: XC Industrial Action | National Rail

Industrial action to impact CrossCountry services on all Saturdays in December . Find details of all current incidents on National Rail Enquiries.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Saturday 6 December

All CrossCountry routes will be impacted, with a limited service on some routes and no services on others. Some trains will have different calling patterns to normal. Trains that do run are expected to be busy and service finish much earlier than usual. You can find a "Timetable Summary" including routes with limited service and routes with no service on the CrossCountry Industrial Action website.

Saturday 13, 20, and 27 December

CrossCountry are assessing the impact on their level of service on these dates. Please check back at a later date.

I can only suggest looking at what's in journey planners for the 6th to get a rough feel of what's running and what's not. Based on the XC website, you may get lucky and be able to make the journey (with a change at Birmingham). There are some southbound services showing up on RTT at the moment. Your 1046 isn't showing currently though.

Services from Macclesfield to Birmingham New Street

Services from BHM to Oxford

Again, bear in mind that this data is for the 6th only at the moment. The 27th may well be quite different due to a certain festive period exacerbating the issue! Conversely, the industrial action might get knocked on the head by the time we get to your planned journey!

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Strikes have been called off.

2nd December 2025



Dear RMT Member,



BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - CROSS COUNTRY



Several negotiations have taken place to resolve the issues at the heart of the dispute. The Lead Officer has reported the following has been achieved:

• 54 Additional posts for catering grades.
• Longterm all catering will be delivered by the RSM Grade.
• The Company Council will enter consultation to determine which services will operate as 1, 2, 3 or 4 caterers, this will be driven by passenger demand for service.
• Existing First-Class Hosts will have the option to Transfer to the Grade of RSM with an increase in pay of 16.6% or remain as a FCH in accordance with existing T&Cs.
• Train Managers and Senior Conductors will receive a payment of 2p per ticket scan and increase sales Comision to 6%.
• Pay parity for Supervisory and clerical Grades - this amount to a 25% increase for some staff. Increases will be backdated to May 28th.
• The company have failed to honour commitments given regarding Overtime Rates (This could be revisited separately if the members wish to do so).
• The Company have acknowledged their actions towards Representatives are not acceptable and they will undertake training.

The Union's National Executive Committee has considered this matter and acknowledging the views of your negotiation team that sufficient progress has been made has instructed me to advise the company that we are no longer in dispute.



Therefore, ALL industrial action called has been suspended. You and your colleagues are instructed to work normally and book on for your shift as normal.



You and your colleagues are congratulated for showing your resolve and determination throughout this dispute as it has forced your employer to address the issues and provide a meaningful resolution.



The Union will continue to monitor this situation, and I will write again should there be any further updates.

Yours sincerely,

Eddie Dempsey
General Secretary

 

[dk1]

What fantastic news. Can anyone else fathom out why XC senior management didn’t do this in the first place rather than tarnish their already dreadful attitude and image when it comes to industrial relations. It’s like they enjoyed pressing the self destruct button and alienating staff as well as customers.

 

[father_jack]

Superb outcome.

 

[Jimini]

Great news indeed; thanks for sharing

 

[Russel]

Just need to sort out the idiotic locking out of 2nd units now...

 

[dk1]

Just need to sort out the idiotic locking out of 2nd units now...

I thought that is what this deal allows. Catering staff are being quite rightly paid HGD accordingly.

 

[Russel]

I thought that is what this deal allows. Catering staff are being quite rightly paid HGD accordingly.

Ah good, didn't realize that was what was being referred to.

 

[dk1]

Ah good, didn't realize that was what was being referred to.

Yes on differing grades should they want to. Also train managers getting paid to scan and commission up to 6%. All looks an excellent deal by the RMT.

 

[Kite159]

Maybe getting paid 2p per scan will encourage guards on the Turbo run routes to exit the back cab and do revenue, they might even earn some commission from those who think payment is optional when travelling between Tamworth & Birmingham etc

 

[dk1]

Maybe getting paid 2p per scan will encourage guards on the Turbo run routes to exit the back cab and do revenue, they might even earn some commission from those who think payment is optional when travelling between Tamworth & Birmingham etc

I have noticed far better revenue protection on Voyager routes than Turbo for some reason in the last few years. On the Birmingham-Stansted route I have my pass/ticket ready as the conductor passes through but more often than not they do just that and don’t even seem to carry a ticket machine anymore. The difference between these and Greater Anglia is particularly stark. I’ve just put it down to the industrial unrest with XC.

 

[Russel]

Maybe getting paid 2p per scan will encourage guards on the Turbo run routes to exit the back cab and do revenue, they might even earn some commission from those who think payment is optional when travelling between Tamworth & Birmingham etc

It's not just the XC services out of Birmingham, fare evasion is rife around the West Mids, the X-City operates on a pay when challenged basis.

I have noticed far better revenue protection on Voyager routes than Turbo for some reason in the last few years. On the Birmingham-Stansted route I have my pass/ticket ready as the conductor passes through but more often than not they do just that and don’t even seem to carry a ticket machine anymore. The difference between these and Greater Anglia is particularly stark. I’ve just put it down to the industrial unrest with XC.

I only GA a few times a year, Liverpool St - Colchester, but almost without fail have a ticket check.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

I thought that is what this deal allows. Catering staff are being quite rightly paid HGD accordingly.

Nothing in that document says this has been agreed. AFAIK two TM’s still required for double sets.

 

[Russel]

Nothing in that document says this has been agreed. AFAIK two TM’s still required for double sets.

Which in it's self is ridiculous when within the same company, you can have a double Turbostar with only one conductor.

 

[dk1]

Nothing in that document says this has been agreed. AFAIK two TM’s still required for double sets.

Thank you but what do items 1, 2, 3, & 4 mean then please?

 

[BillStampy]

Just spend my time curiously looking at RTT and noticed all the XC's were back, came here to find that the strikes have been called off. Excellent news, might make my Plymouth trip to bid farewell to the GWR HSTs a bit easier no doubt!

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Thank you but what do items 1, 2, 3, & 4 mean then please?

That bit refers to how many RSM’s would be on a given train - so really busy single sets would have an RSM in Retail and one in First Class etc - multiply that for double sets. Less busy services would have one RSM attempting to do both ends. (Oh joy!)

Considering XC have now agreed to add 54 caterers to the Voyager fleet is good going, seeing as they only wanted to bring 25% or less over from the former 170 staff prior to the strikes…..

There’s no agreement for the return of RSM’s doing lone working - at the moment. I for one never had a problem doing it, but apparently the RMT did, hence the change. XC wanted it, the union didn’t.

 

[dk1]

That bit refers to how many RSM’s would be on a given train - so really busy single sets would have an RSM in Retail and one in First Class etc - multiply that for double sets. Less busy services would have one RSM attempting to do both ends. (Oh joy!)

Considering XC have now agreed to add 54 caterers to the Voyager fleet is good going, seeing as they only wanted to bring 25% or less over from the former 170 staff prior to the strikes…..

There’s no agreement for the return of RSM’s doing lone working - at the moment. I for one never had a problem doing it, but apparently the RMT did, hence the change. XC wanted it, the union didn’t.

Thank you for explaining.