RMT to Strike on CrossCountry UK Services in December: Expect Christmas Travel Chaos Over Pay and Staffing Disputes

Published on November 24, 2025

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) has announced strike action on CrossCountry services next month, leading to significant disruption in rail travel across the UK. This decision follows an ongoing dispute over unresolved issues related to pay discrepancies, staffing shortages, and previously agreed commitments. Despite numerous attempts by the union to reach a negotiated settlement, no satisfactory agreement has been reached, forcing RMT members to take industrial action.

The planned strikes will take place on the following Saturdays in December:

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

These strikes coincide with the busy holiday season, raising concerns about the impact on thousands of passengers relying on CrossCountry services for travel.

The Root Causes of the Dispute: Pay, Staffing, and Broken Commitments

The ongoing dispute between RMT and CrossCountry centers around three main issues: pay discrepancies, staffing shortages, and the company’s failure to honor previous agreements. The union has expressed frustration with the company’s refusal to meet the demands of its workforce, particularly in relation to overtime pay, staff resourcing, and wage disparities between different staff grades. Despite efforts to resolve these issues over several months, the company has not made any substantial progress, leading to the union’s decision to take strike action.

Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary of the RMT, criticized CrossCountry for offering a proposal that was even worse than what was previously on the table. Dempsey emphasized that the company’s inability to address the core issues of the dispute has left workers with no other option but to proceed with the planned strikes.

The Impact of the Strike on Rail Services

The announced strike action will disrupt CrossCountry services throughout December, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. With the strike coinciding with the Christmas period, one of the busiest times of the year for rail travel, the timing of the action amplifies its potential impact. Passengers traveling across the CrossCountry network, which includes routes from Liverpool to Birmingham and from London Euston to several other key cities, will experience delays, cancellations, and reduced services.The RMT has warned that these disruptions will have far-reaching consequences, not just for local commuters but also for long-distance travelers who depend on CrossCountry’s services for holiday journeys. The union has called on CrossCountry to return to the negotiation table with a more serious and comprehensive offer, stressing that this would help avoid further disruption during the busy holiday season.

A Call for Fair Treatment and Resolution

The RMT has made it clear that its call for strike action is a last resort. Eddie Dempsey reiterated the union’s stance that the industrial action is only being taken because CrossCountry has failed to offer a fair deal to its workers. The union is focused on ensuring that staffing levels are adequate, employees receive fair compensation, and the company honors its previous commitments.

Dempsey emphasized that the RMT’s aim is not to cause disruption but to secure a fair deal for employees. The union believes that resolving the issues surrounding pay and staffing is essential to creating a safer, more efficient rail system for passengers.

The Role of Drivers in Reducing Disruption

While the union is advocating for improvements in employee conditions, the responsibility to minimize disruption also lies with the passengers and rail companies. As the strike dates approach, passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys well in advance, considering potential delays or cancellations due to the industrial action.

Additionally, passengers who rely on CrossCountry’s services during the December strike days are urged to explore alternative modes of transportation where possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the stoppages.

What’s Next: The Need for a Swift Resolution

The timing of the strike action puts CrossCountry in a difficult position, especially as the dispute coincides with the Christmas travel rush. As the union has stated, a swift and effective resolution to the dispute is needed to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. RMT is urging the company to return with a more meaningful proposal that addresses the concerns of its workers and secures a long-term resolution to the dispute.

The union’s priority is to avoid further escalation and ensure that passengers can rely on CrossCountry for safe, reliable travel during the festive period. However, as the situation stands, the planned industrial action is expected to go ahead unless a credible solution is found in the coming weeks.

Conclusion: The Growing Impact of the Dispute on Rail Travel

The industrial action planned by RMT against CrossCountry is set to cause significant disruption to rail services across the UK. With unresolved issues surrounding pay discrepancies, staffing shortages, and broken commitments, the union has no choice but to escalate the situation with strike action. The timing of the strikes is especially problematic, as it coincides with the busiest period for travel, further compounding the inconvenience faced by passengers.

As the dispute continues, the union’s call for a fair settlement remains clear: CrossCountry must return to the table with a serious offer that addresses the core issues of the dispute and treats its workers with the respect they deserve. The impact of this ongoing conflict on both workers and passengers underscores the importance of resolving the dispute quickly to prevent further disruption to services.