CrossCountry train strike emergency talks take place

Talks have been taking place between union officials and managers at rail firm CrossCountry ahead of strike action planned for Friday.

The company, which serves destinations across the UK from its base in Birmingham, said the talks had been "constructive".

Members of the RMT union voted for the 24-hour stoppage, with 177 of 335 members in favour of a strike.

The strike will include train managers, senior conductors and catering staff.

Union officials said they had to take the action after managers failed to look at their issues, including the use of league tables to record performance, and rosters and training.

The company, which covers routes from Penzance to Aberdeen, has called the industrial action "regrettable".

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the ballot had been held after "the total collapse of industrial relations across a whole raft of matters".

The company is not yet advising customers to change their travel arrangements.