22 December 2021
RMT Press Office
RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that strike action will go ahead on Cross Country trains from Christmas eve over an assault on the role of the guard.
RMT train managers and senior conductors voted overwhelmingly for action as the company has sought to draft in other staff to carry out their roles.
As a result they will be taking strike action as follows:
00.01 hours until 23.59 hours on Friday 24th December 2021
00.01 hours until 23.59 hours on Friday 31st December 2021
Additionally, RMT Cross Country Senior Conductor and Train Manager members are instructed not to carry out coaching or shadowing duties from 00.01 hours on Saturday 25th December until further notice.
General Secretary Mick Lynch said;
“There has been a systematic attempt by Cross Country to undermine the role of the Senior Conductors and Train Managers by drafting in other staff to do their jobs.
“Cross Country need to understand that they already have trained and competent guards that are available and ready to work.
“They need to stop with their underhand measures and attempts to train up various other employees to undertake the role of the guard. This strike could be resolved if people were simply allowed to just get on with their own job and the company stopped threatening the long-term futures of our members and compromising safety as a consequence.
“Our members have made it clear that they will not put up with this attack and that is why they are taking action over Christmas and New Year.
“We are in talks today with the company which gives them an opportunity to prioritise safety and settle this dispute.”
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