CrossCountry Train Drivers Announce October Strike Disrupting UK Rail Network

Train drivers at CrossCountry, represented by the Aslef union, have announced a strike on October 3 and will refuse to work non-contractual overtime starting September 21 in a dispute over the company's alleged persistent refusal to honor negotiated agreements. Aslef's general secretary, Mick Whelan, emphasized that industrial action is a last resort taken due to management acting in bad faith and violating agreed terms, which has pushed drivers to take this step despite not wanting to inconvenience passengers or lose earnings. The strike is expected to cause significant disruption across the CrossCountry network, which serves major cities throughout Britain, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Penzance. This action follows recent strikes by the RMT union that already disrupted services, with CrossCountry drivers among the highest paid in the country earning an average of £74,700 annually. CrossCountry management expressed disappointment over the strike decision but stated their commitment to reaching an agreement. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between unions and management amid broader rail industry challenges affecting passengers across the UK.