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A strike by members of the RMT union is expected to cause rail disruption over the upcoming bank holiday weekend, as CrossCountry has announced a reduced timetable. The strike will result in no trains running on Saturday, potential cancellations on Sunday, and a “very limited” service on Monday. The RMT union stated that its members voted in favor of the action due to alleged failures by CrossCountry to uphold agreements on staffing, safety, and pay.
Shiona Rolfe, the Managing Director of CrossCountry, expressed disappointment over the situation, acknowledging the impact on passengers’ travel plans during the holiday weekend. However, she also stated that the company is committed to reaching an agreement and is open to further discussions with the union. In addition to the strike, planned engineering work in the West Midlands on Monday will further affect the already limited service between 08:00 and 18:00 BST, potentially leading to longer journey times.
Responding to the disruption, National Express announced that it would increase capacity over the weekend by adding 9,000 extra seats to accommodate passengers traveling to cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester, and more. Despite the anticipated disruption, rail users in Sheffield voiced their support for the strike action. One passenger, Steven Vivian, emphasized the importance of fair pay for rail workers, comparing it to the increase in MPs’ salaries over the years. Another passenger, Kristian White, expressed understanding for the workers’ decision to strike and fight for their values, highlighting the freedom to do so in contrast to other parts of the world.
Passengers holding tickets for CrossCountry travel on Saturday are advised to claim a full refund or consider traveling on alternative days surrounding the bank holiday weekend. CrossCountry-only tickets for August 23 will be valid for travel between August 21 and 27. Despite the inconvenience caused by the strike, rail users and the company are working to navigate through the disruption and ensure passengers can reach their destinations during the holiday period
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