TSSA Demands Job Security and Fair Wages Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) employed by CrossCountry are preparing to undertake a 24-hour strike starting from 9pm on Boxing Day. This action is a continuation of the widespread industrial unrest affecting the rail sector.
The union is advocating for critical assurances, including no compulsory redundancies, no unagreed modifications to terms and conditions, and a pay increase that addresses the rising cost of living. TSSA representatives believe that the strike will significantly impact services provided by CrossCountry, which spans extensive routes across the country, from Penzance to various locations in the Midlands, Wales, and northern England, reaching as far north as Aberdeen.
Roles affected include customer service managers, driver managers, trainers, and those involved in control, safety, and timetabling. TSSA members are based in key cities such as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Bournemouth, and Plymouth.
Nadine Rae, TSSA’s organising director, expressed the frustration of the workers, stating, “Our members do not wish to strike, particularly during the Christmas period, but they are tired of being undervalued. They rightly expect a pay rise to help cope with the increasing cost of living and demand job security.”
Additionally, TSSA members at Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains plan to strike during similar time frames, further intensifying the situation. Rae urged the company and the government to respond with serious proposals to resolve the ongoing disputes, warning that further strikes will halt services unless significant steps are taken.
She emphasised, “Rail workers are simply seeking fair treatment: job security, a reasonable pay rise amidst the cost-of-living crisis, and a commitment to maintaining existing terms and conditions. Without action from rail management and the government, we will see further disruptions that affect those who rely on our rail network.”
