Workers for Arriva CrossCountry trains take protest action over pay and working conditions.

Employees of Arriva CrossCountry trains are taking part in a month-long protest, just short of strike action, over pay and working conditions.

The protest is by those employees who are members of the Rail, Maritime & Transport union (RMT), and started this morning (Tuesday 4 August). The vote for action was in favour four to one, based on a 55% turnout.

Protest will be in the form of: a ban of working on Sundays; refusal to work overtime; a ban on litter-picking in train carriages; and a total ban on volunteering for rest day working.

This action is likely to have a noticeable impact on Arriva’s passengers. The train company “crosses more of the country than any other train company”, and its services cover Aberdeen to Penzance, Bournemouth to Manchester, and Stansted to Cardiff.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said: “Our members have shown their anger at the divisive approach taken by Arriva CrossCountry in respect of pay and a wide range of issues relating to working conditions and this action is aimed at forcing the company back to the table to negotiate a fair deal for all staff. Reports from our reps confirm that the action is being solidly supported across the franchise.”

Only last month, the train company reported its performance was up and its complaints down, with a higher-than-average percentage of trains arriving on time compared with most long-distance train operators.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We do not believe this will have a significant effect on our services. We are prepared to consider demands to raise pay over and above the agreed pay rate implemented in April 2009, if the RMT can agree on changes in working arrangements that will fund the increase.”