Virgin Cross Country passengers could face disruption every Sunday

Virgin Cross Country train managers are to walk out on 1 January affecting long-distance services. The company has announced "modified" train times.

Central Trains' (CT) guards plan to strike on 27 December and 2 January in protest about bank holiday payments.

CT said it was too early to say how many trains across the Midlands and beyond would be affected.

It stressed that it was still talking to the RMT union, and hoped the strikes may not go ahead, but it was too early to comment further on the effects.

'Intransigent firm'

RMT regional organiser Ken Usher said: "We have been talking to Central Trains for 12 months, but we are dealing with a firm that is totally intransigent."

The firm's offer of allowing time off later in the year for bank holiday work was rejected by 78% of union members who voted for action.

The union said it has not made specific demands about extra pay or days off for holiday working, but said CT has not come up with a satisfactory package it could recommend to members.

It means there will be no guards on strike days, leading to widespread cancellations unless enough managers take on the role.

CT cancelled services across the West Midlands, and beyond, last Sunday after it was left with too few drivers to run services, although there was no official industrial action involved.

Central Trains are set to be affected on 27 December and 2 January

In a separate dispute, train managers - more senior guards - on Virgin Cross Country (VXC) services are set to walk out every Sunday from 1 January in a dispute over Sunday payments.

The RMT claims the extra money paid for Sundays, compared to weekday working, has been eroded in recent years.

VXC said there will be trains on 1 January, but admits it will have to operate "modified services". It said it was unaware of strike action on further Sundays.

It runs long-distance services from a Birmingham hub to Scotland, Cornwall, Bristol, the south coast, Reading, Manchester, Newcastle, Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

Chris Gibb, VXC managing director, said: "We have made arrangements to staff trains in the event of industrial action by RMT members and will maintain reliable services.