https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/rail-strikes-resume-with-bank-holiday-shutdown-on-crosscountry-trains/ar-AA1K5wZZ?ocid=socialshare

.........largely, it would seem, to be about a reluctance amongst the bruvvers to scan electronic tickets 

The RMT Union’s AGM has considered the matter and acknowledged the severity of this situation.  It is clear that there is now a breakdown in industrial relations, which includes the following serious issues:

    Undermining of safety-critical roles: Despite previous agreements, the company is actively trying to reverse the requirement for two Train Managers on double sets, threatening both safety and jobs.
    Breach of staffing agreements: Cross Country has failed to recruit the agreed number of Train Managers and intends to reverse an agreement allowing them to have the ability to go back and utilise catering staff to cover essential Guard duties. These actions also highlight the company's intentions for the future of catering on the network. The RMT cannot allow catering staff to be utilised in this manner. The company should enter into dialogue with the RMT to ensure that we have a catering service that is robust, delivers for passengers, and protects the employment of staff. It is unacceptable for Cross Country to simply remove jobs without any form of consultation with this union. Yet this is exactly what the company has done, with no attempt made to resolve the issue. This attack on the catering provision only deepens the fears of members that this approach to job cuts could cascade into multiple disciplines, putting wider job security at risk. We cannot accept this blatant attack on jobs and the ‘redundancy by stealth’ method. This practice must cease immediately, and urgent discussions must take place with the RMT on how to improve catering services across the network.
    Misuse of management grades: Management staff not authorised under agreed arrangements are regularly performing Guard duties, undermining agreements and frontline staff.
    Excessive payments to managers: Managers are reportedly receiving up to £250 per train on top of their salaries, another breach of an agreement, while also refusing to negotiate fair overtime and rest day enhancements for frontline grades.
    Failure to provide Rest Day Working proposals: Cross Country has failed to table proposals for Rest Day and Weekend Working enhancements for all grades, breaching commitments made during previous dispute resolution.
    Pay inequality: The company continues to pay different rates to staff doing the same job and has refused to honour its promise to resolve this issue.
    Failure to implement agreed ticket scanning payments: An agreed 3p-per-scan payment has not been implemented, and the company are refusing to pay the agreed amount without justification, which only shows the company’s lack of respect for agreed outcomes.
    Victimisation of RMT representatives: Union reps have been targeted and undermined simply for carrying out their legitimate duties on behalf of members.

Are these ticket scanning additional payments, which in a normal world would be regarded as a complete nonsense, specific to XC or have they been agreed more widely? I don't recall seeing them mentioned before.

It is my view that all format on-train ticket checks should be a contractual obligation on the Guard / Conductor / TM except when the activity would impinge on safety critical work.

Are these ticket scanning additional payments, which in a normal world would be regarded as a complete nonsense, specific to XC or have they been agreed more widely? I don't recall seeing them mentioned before.

It is my view that all format on-train ticket checks should be a contractual obligation on the Guard / Conductor / TM except when the activity would impinge on safety critical work.

If selling tickets on the train earns a commission why does there seem to be a marked reluctance by on board train staff to venture out and do so ?

"We're not checking/selling tickets on this journey - we don't actually have the equipment to do so with us" ... first hand comment to me, and recent.

If selling tickets on the train earns a commission why does there seem to be a marked reluctance by on board train staff to venture out and do so ?

Are these ticket scanning additional payments, which in a normal world would be regarded as a complete nonsense, specific to XC or have they been agreed more widely? I don't recall seeing them mentioned before.

It is my view that all format on-train ticket checks should be a contractual obligation on the Guard / Conductor / TM except when the activity would impinge on safety critical work.

I travelled Bristol TM - Paddington yesterday (Sat 9/8/25) in 1st Class. Quiet 0700 train. No sign of the TM for the entire journey. Which savesld me the £20 Weekend 1st upgrade.

I had a few rounds of refreshments from the host. Perhaps GWR should empower their hosts to take upgrades. I did offer, but he said to wait for the TM.

The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Cheltenham Spa and Worcestershire Parkway / Worcester Shrub Hill. Whilst the emergency services carry out their work, all lines between these stations are closed. Trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 20:00.