CrossCountry Trains workers suspend 24-hour strike plan

  • Published

A planned 24-hour strike on CrossCountry trains has been suspended after "significant progress" was made in talks, union bosses have said.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to walk out on Friday.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said although the negotiations had been positive further talks were required before a final settlement was made.

CrossCountry trains confirmed a normal service will operate on 21 December.

'Action only suspended'

Managing director Andy Cooper said: "Our two meetings with the RMT regional representatives were very successful and resulted in a satisfactory position that has led to the lifting of a threatened strike on Friday.

"Our advice for customers had been to not change their travel plans."

The CrossCountry network radiates out of Birmingham and covers much of England and major points in Scotland up to Aberdeen and Cardiff.

"RMT is able to confirm that significant progress has been made in talks with CrossCountry over the issues at the heart of the current dispute," Mr Crow said.

"Members have been instructed to work as normal. RMT would like to make it clear that the union is only suspending the current strike action.

"If no progress is made in the talks with CrossCountry, further industrial action may have to be called," he added.

The walk-out would have involved train managers, senior conductors and on-board catering staff.

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.