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

Thoughts?

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 as they seem incapable of announcing anything to the wider world without resort to overblown hyperbole.

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!

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 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.

Just read an item on BBC 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.

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 staff member on another forum saying 21st December.

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

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

What do others think?

Thanks for any thoughts
rgds macbrains

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 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.

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

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

I believe the strike is only for 21st.

Below is link to what XC say
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/the-rail-maritime-and-transport-workers-union (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!

Thank you for that

The strike is for Friday Dec 21.

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 and EMT?

Very possibly, although you'd need to check nearer the time to ensure that ticket acceptance was indeed operating. If there *was* a strike but XC was still able to operate a reasonable train service, you would most likely be expected to travel on that. Best advice is to keep an eye on the XC website.

No problem, just a add on note, Bristol to Cheltenham on XC is around 40 mins compared to FGW around 70 mins, assuming different routes are taken, or does a few extra stops take 30 mins extra?

A stop and reversal at Gloucester would use up most of that.

Also the FGW Services stop at Yate and Cam and Dursley.


I would assume so, but as Inspector Blakey pointed out.


If they are operating a reasonable service if the strike comes to fruition, Unlikely that ticket acceptance would be authorised.

However, I guess XC's version of "a reasonable service" is trains so rammed that they leave people behind... ::) :P

Every cloud has a silver lining.....

From thedailymash.co.uk (http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/rail-strikes-will-make-visiting-in-laws-absolutely-impossible-2012121854036)


 :P :P :P

FGW services via the old Midland (Charfield) Line, call at Yate and Cam & Dursley but also reverse at Gloucester.  AFAIK, they are timed for the 75mph 150X units which are the mainstay of the service.

From the banner on the front page of the XC website:

The BBC is now reporting that both Cross Country and Scotrail strikes have been called off after good progress with the talks.

ALso confirmed by XC:

Good news for Miss macbrains, thanks to all for the useful advice in this thread!

rgds
macbrains :)