Disruption to West Midlands rail services expected as CrossCountry rail workers to stage strikes in dispute over pay

CrossCountry Trains have warned of diversions to services from Penzance due to flooding, including those running to Birmingham New Street

placeholder image — CrossCountry Trains have warned of diversions to services from Penzance due to flooding, including those running to Birmingham New Street

Workers on rail operator CrossCountry, who operate services in the West Midlands, are to stage a series of strikes next month in a dispute over pay.

CrossCountry trains serve West Midlands stations including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on December 6, 13, 20 and 27.

The union said long-running issues on pay and staffing remained unresolved.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “CrossCountry has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute and has come back with a proposal that is worse than what was already on the table.

“Our members are still facing unresolved staffing shortages, unfair pay outcomes and broken commitments.

“RMT members have been left with no choice but to take strike action.

“The company must return with a serious offer that meets the commitments it has already made and treats our members with the fairness and respect they deserve.”