Strikes have been announced by train drivers’ union ASLEF at operator CrossCountry Trains over what the union has branded as “persistent refusal to adhere to negotiated agreements.”Drivers at the operator will now strike on October 3 with a non-contractual overtime ban coming in effect on September 21. Andy Hourigan, ASLEF’s lead officer for CrossCountry, said: ‘The ASLEF team has battled with CrossCountry for some considerable time – the company constantly breaks agreements, arrangements, and procedures – and it’s been brought to a head by the misuse of the grievance and discipline process. The union has accused the company of breaking an agreement it had with CrossCountry that would see the company adhering to the mediator ACAS’s guidelines for disciplinary proceedings. We remain committed to reaching an agreement with ASLEF that avoids disruption for passengers and remain available to continue talks." That’s why we are taking strike action.