Rail strikes risk bank holiday travel

CrossCountry train guards plan strikes over the August bank holiday weekend over pay and scanning incentives.

Rail guards refuse to scan e tickets and press for technology payment

Rail guards on the CrossCountry network will refuse to scan electronic tickets on passengers' smartphones from August 24 as part of a pay dispute. The action runs alongside two strikes on August 23 and August 25 and will disrupt services across the network that stretches from Aberdeen to Penzance and Stansted to Cardiff. The clash over incentives for scanning electronic tickets sits within a broader dispute over staffing, safety and pay.

The dispute centers on financial incentives for scanning electronic tickets and sits within wider concerns about staffing, safety and pay. CrossCountry operates more than 100 stations, so holiday travelers could face longer waits and reduced services during peak times.

The tactic shows how technology changes in rail intersect with labor conditions. Workers say pay must reflect added tasks, while management argues incentives are the lever to keep scanning work efficient. During a busy weekend, the risk is twofold: more disruptions and a dent in public trust in the system. If a settlement emerges, it could redefine how digital tasks are rewarded in regional networks. If not, passengers may turn to cars or other transport, and the burden on the timetable could grow.

Highlights

The outcome will shape how pay, safety and technology balance in UK rail goes forward.