Holiday travellers face a serious disruption this Christmas as the RMT has revealed four walk-out dates involving staff at CrossCountry rail services. The strikes, scheduled for Saturdays 6, 13, 20 and 27 December, come amid an escalating dispute over pay, staffing shortages and alleged broken commitments. Sky News+2The Independent+2
Why it matters
CrossCountry operates long-distance routes linking key cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Cardiff and Edinburgh. That means the disruption could span England, Scotland and Wales — impacting travellers heading home for Christmas, shopping trips or festive breaks. Sky News+1
What the dispute is about
The RMT says that CrossCountry has failed to address “core issues” including staffing levels, unfair pay differentials and broken commitments on overtime and working practices. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
“CrossCountry has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute and has come back with a proposal that is worse than what was already on the table.” Sky News+1
On the other side, CrossCountry’s Managing Director, Shiona Rolfe, said the company is disappointed at the announcement and remains ready to continue talks, emphasising the priority is to avoid disruption for customers. Sky News+1
The impact on passengers
- Travellers on CrossCountry routes are strongly advised to check the timetable early, especially for journeys on the four strike dates.
- Many services may be cancelled or severely reduced — not just on those dates but for the lead-up and aftermath, as capacity is adjusted.
- It may be wise to consider alternative travel dates or routes where possible, especially for longer-distance trips.
- For those relying on CrossCountry on 20 and 27 December — both key travel days — the risk is particularly high. The Independent+1
What next for the talks?
The RMT has stated that unless a “serious offer” is made that meets prior commitments, its members will proceed with the strike action as announced. CrossCountry says it has made a “fair and reasonable offer” but acknowledges meaningful progress is still needed. Sky News+1
Wider implications
This dispute adds to a broader pattern of rail industry tension in the UK, with staffing and pay disputes increasingly impacting service reliability. For a festive travel period that historically sees a surge in journey numbers, the timing is especially challenging. Yahoo News UK+1
Key takeaways for readers
Action required: Check timetables, allow extra travel time, consider alternatives.
Strike dates: 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec, 27 Dec (all Saturdays).
Affected operator: CrossCountry (long-distance England, Scotland & Wales).
Main issues: Staff shortages, pay fairness, overtime/working practice commitments.
