CROSSCOUNTRY STRIKE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: sept/oct 2025 :: RMTnews 13 RMT members at CrossCountry from Edinburgh to Plymouth took two days of strike action recently following multiple breaches of agreements, inadequate staffing and management practices. CrossCountry is also attempting to reverse the requirement for two Train Managers on double sets, threatening safety and jobs. The company has failed to recruit the agreed number of Train Managers and is misusing catering staff in safety-critical roles. Management staff are also performing Guard duties without authorisation, undermining agreements. Excessive payments to managers, reportedly up to £250 per train, are being made while frontline staff are denied fair overtime rates. The company has not implemented agreed ticket scanning payments and continues to pay different rates for the same job. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that CrossCountry was trying to wriggle out of agreements and block fair pay for our members. “We will not accept that and our members have been left with no choice but to take industrial action. “Our members deserve proper recognition for the work they do, and we will campaign until they get it. “We urge the employer and DfT to negotiate properly and help us reach a negotiated settlement,” he said. Members working at Transpennine Express have settled a long-running dispute over new technology payments. Following extensive negotiations in this long- running dispute over ticket scanning, the company has agreed to a deal that is in line with other train operating companies. The employer’s starting negotiating position had initially been to cut the commission payment on all ticket sales back to four per cent from the agreed six per cent. However, during discussions the union managed to negotiate a retention of the six per cent on all ticket sales, plus 2p on every ticket scanned. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey congratulated the negotiating team for progressing an agreement for the benefit of RMT members at TPE. TPE TECH PAYMENT WIN CROSSCOUNTRY STRIKE Edinburgh Plymouth Newcastle