RMT has confirmed that CrossCountry staff will stage a series of strikes next month after talks failed to resolve long-running concerns over pay, staffing levels and previously agreed commitments.

The union said it had spent months trying to negotiate a settlement, but claims CrossCountry has not addressed key issues, including overtime arrangements, resource shortages and what it describes as inconsistencies in pay across grades.

With discussions making no meaningful progress, RMT members have voted to walk out on four consecutive Saturdays in December: the 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. The union says these dates are intended to maximise pressure on the operator while highlighting unresolved staffing and contractual problems.

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.”

CrossCountry has not yet issued an updated public response to the latest escalation, but the strikes are expected to cause significant disruption across the network if no agreement is reached.

Image: CrossCountry