CrossCountry strike will affect services in Devon, warns operator
The RMT Union says it has 'been left with no choice but to take strike action'
There's a limited serve through Devon and Cornwall today by train operator CrossCountry, because of strike action.
It'll affect stops in Newton Abbot, Paignton, Penzance and Plymouth with a spokesperson warning: "Fewer services will operate and there will be no service on some parts of the CrossCountry network.
"Trains that do run will be significantly busier than usual and services will also finish much earlier in the day - so passengers are advised to plan return journeys carefully. There will also be changes to some calling patterns for services that do run, and planned engineering work will mean some journeys take longer than usual."
Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s Managing Director, added: “We are disappointed that the RMT has announced more industrial action that will disrupt customers over the busy Christmas period.
"We’ve worked hard to make a fair and reasonable offer that addresses the key points raised in this dispute, and we believe we’ve made meaningful progress in negotiations.
“Our priority is now minimising disruption for those travelling on Saturdays in December – but while we will try to run as many services as possible, there will inevitably be significant disruption.”
The RMT Union said it has 'tried repeatedly for months to reach a negotiated settlement', adding: "But regretfully the company has failed to honour agreements on overtime payments, staff resourcing and wage discrepancies for different grades."
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.”
The strike coincides with many Christmas markets across the country, as well as other events and some football matches.