Arriva CrossCountry Strike Action over Christmas?

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Posted here as I couldn't find a credible source that this was happening. I did hear this from a railway employee so maybe it's not been confirmed that XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) are striking. Although there was this article about a Ballot taking place...

http://union-news.co.uk/2012/11/rmt-in-crosscountry-strike-ballot-after-comprehensive-breakdown/

Thoughts?

[JayMac]

I'll just say that whatever the rights and wrongs that have led to the ballot I always find it hard to side with the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) as they seem incapable of announcing anything to the wider world without resort to overblown hyperbole.

[thetrout]

Sorry, left this out of the original post: I don't at all expect may of the passengers customers will be at all sympathetic in what is one of the busiest times of the year for the railway!

[trainer]

I believe that unions have to give notice before they actually go on strike, even if it's agreed by the membership.  Employers can cause the courts to review the ballot and other delays can be put in place.  Whether it would even be practical at this point to hold a strike by Christmas is questionable.  

I am saddened to read in the referenced article the same old rhetoric from the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) which union leaders were spouting in the 70s and 80s.  The trouble with this confrontational nonsense is that it leaves little room for sensible dialogue and when the news media get hold of it, potential passengers can be frightened off using the trains 'just in case'.  This abstracts revenue for the railways and does nothing to address genuine grievances.

As a matter of fact which may or may not be relevant, I was always a member of a union when in employment.

[trainer]

Just read an item on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) news site that Scotrail are to experience a strike on Christmas Eve.  No doubt someone else will be able to post the article - still learning to do that.

[JayMac]

I've read elsewhere that the ballot was in favour of a strike and this will go ahead on 21st December.

EDIT. Just found this:

On the dismissal of Michele Douglass the vote was in favour of action short of a strike:
http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeId=166785

On the breakdown in industrial relations the vote was in favour of strike action:
http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeId=166784

As yet, no independent confirmation of the date of the strike, just a post from a XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) staff member on another forum saying 21st December.

[macbrains]

Miss Macbrains number 2 is planning to travel from Truro to Cheltenham on 22nd December 

Cross Country seem confident that there will be a service - and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (I assume) provides an alternative.

What do others think?

Thanks for any thoughts
rgds macbrains

[IndustryInsider]

I'd be confident as well.  The number of times strike action (particularly over Christmas) is called, and then called off late doors following an agreement must be very high, and the number of times it leads to actual action very low.  The Union still wins though as they will have created a lot of negative publicity and caused many people to change their travel plans which tends to force to TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) hand.

[trainer]

The Union still wins though as they will have created a lot of negative publicity and caused many people to change their travel plans which tends to force to TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) hand.

Is this a win, though?  Short term possibly, but as I suggested before, lack of confidence by the occasional traveller means they will reluctant to book in the future and that has knock-on effects for finances and eventually jobs, unionised or otherwise.

[IndustryInsider]

I honestly don't think the unions see it that way.  Though you are correct of course.

[LiskeardRich]

Miss Macbrains number 2 is planning to travel from Truro to Cheltenham on 22nd December 

Cross Country seem confident that there will be a service - and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (I assume) provides an alternative.

What do others think?

Thanks for any thoughts
rgds macbrains

FGW Truro to Taunton then Bristol (easier when there is a through train) then a Worcester service from Bristol is operated by FGW

[brompton rail]

I believe the strike is only for 21st.

Below is link to what XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) say
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/the-rail-maritime-and-transport-workers-union
Basically we think there won't be a strike, but if there is we will get you there!

[macbrains]

Miss Macbrains number 2 is planning to travel from Truro to Cheltenham on 22nd December 

Cross Country seem confident that there will be a service - and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (I assume) provides an alternative.

What do others think?

Thanks for any thoughts
rgds macbrains

FGW Truro to Taunton then Bristol (easier when there is a through train) then a Worcester service from Bristol is operated by FGW

Thank you for that

[Worcester_Passenger]

Miss Macbrains number 2 is planning to travel from Truro to Cheltenham on 22nd December

The strike is for Friday Dec 21.

[eightf48544]

My cousin wants to go from Southampton to Sheffield  via Brum on CC on the 21st. If there's a strike would a vai Brum  ticket be valid on SWT^▸ (South West Trains) and EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about)?