UK joins Belgium in nationwide rail strikes causing potential travel chaos across London, Brussels and major European routes as passengers may face widespread delays and cancellations

Published October 31, 2025

United Kingdom, Belgium. Travelers get some immediate relief in Britain as the Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT). hanging CrossCountry’s planned withdrawal for Saturday, November 1, 2025After conversations with the operator. CrossCountry says it will now run a Full service On that date – although separate engineering works mean some flights are still changing – the Etihad is keeping the dispute open as negotiations continue.

Cross Channel, the Belgian national operator SNCP/NMBS A was registered Three-day strike notice coverage 22:00 on Sunday 23 November to 22:00 on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Under Belgium’s “minimum service” rules, an alternative schedule of employees who declare they will be working will be drawn up and published. 24 hours in advance Via the SNCB website and application. A broader national day of action, called for by the Belgian Trade Union Front, is also planned Wednesday 26 November.

Cross Country: Why November 1 is back to normal — and what still hangs in the balance

RMT temporarily halted Saturday’s strike following CrossCountry Proposals submitted Addressing the core of the controversy – covering the critical roles of safety, employment, and job security. The union has indicated that the operator’s package Requires Department for Transport (DfT) approval. She says she expects “Measurable progress” by November 19 For a comprehensive settlement. In practical terms, this keeps the pressure on talks while eliminating immediate disruption to passengers.

CrossCountry confirms a Regular schedule on November 1, but reminds customers that Planned engineering works Elsewhere on the network some flights may change. Check before traveling via the National Rail inquiries or CrossCountry updates page.

Why is it important to sign out of DfT? CrossCountry operates under a government lease; Policy or budget changes often require departmental approval. This context is evident in public documents around CrossCountry’s operating arrangements, which demonstrate the central role played by the DfT in overseeing or directly awarding the concession.

Belgium: How the 72-hour rail strike will be managed

SNCB has confirmed Strike window from 23 November 22:00 to 26 November 22:00 He says that a conciliation meeting with the unions will precede the action. If the withdrawal continues, it will be Belgium’s Service – minimum Law enforcement begins. Here’s how to do this in practice, according to SNCB’s official guidance:

• Eight business days notice: A valid strike notice must be given at least eight business days before the first minute of action.
• 72 hour returns: Employees are declared “indispensable” no later than 72 hours Before whether they will work.
• Alternate schedule: SNCB then builds a plan based on available staff and Posted 24 hours ago Every strike day in the journey planner and app, with station announcements and information screens providing updates.
• Certificates and Refunds: SNCB maintains the usual refund/replacement rules during strikes and is offered online Delay/strike certificates For up to seven days afterward.

International flights: For Eurostar, TGV, ICE and other cross-border lines, SNCB directs passengers to SNCB International To disable the route and alternatives.

the November 26 The railway stop corresponds to the wider range National strike among professionals It was announced on Wednesday by the ABVV/FGTB union confederation, the culmination of a three-day escalation. Expect limited public services nationwide on this day.

Other 2025 Rail Union actions you should know about

Although the Cross Country strike was halted on Saturday and the Belgium strike is still ongoing, 2025 has already seen – and is scheduled for – several high-profile union actions across Europe. Below is a Verified screenshot from official sources To help plan travel.

1) United Kingdom: Months-long CrossCountry dispute (June-October 2025)
The National Rail Industrial Action Center shows that the RMT dispute at CrossCountry was Weekdays and Saturdays Scheduled procedure June 9 – October 25, 2025. Final payment —November 1– It has now been suspended, and full service has been restored that day.

2) UK: Elizabeth Line strikes – planned then suspended (March 2025)
Planned industrial action in Elizabeth line to March 1, March 8 and March 10, 2025 He was hangingaccording to London’s National Rail disruption feed. If you had tickets around those dates, check the National Rail compensation pages or TfL updates you used at that time for details.

3) UK: ASLEF Focal Points (Spring-Autumn 2025)
ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has implemented targeted measures through 2025, including a A one-day strike on Hull trains on 18 April 2025. ASLEF also escalated actions towards other operators throughout the year as separate disputes developed. Always check the operator’s pages near your travel.

4) UK: London Underground and DLR (late summer 2025)
Industrial action that affected London Underground and Docklands Light Railway Until early September Expired by September 12, 2025shows the archived alert of the National Railways. Covert works often affect National Rail crossings through London.

5) UK: Northern Trains – Outsourcing of station staff and revenue (Autumn 2025)
Previously employed RMT members Carlisle Support Services on Northern trains The contract organized procedures for 24 and 48 hours September and October 2025mainly affecting gatekeeping operations and revenues at key stations. These were union-led strikes against an outside contractor rather than the train operator itself, but passengers felt their knock-on effects on station operations.

6) Italy: National railway strike in April 2025
Italian Strike Control Authority – Garanzia Skipero CommitteeThe official body – registered A Nationwide railway strike from 8 to 9 April 2025. The Committee’s calendars and deliberations are the authoritative source for verifying dates and scope in Italy.

7) Belgium: Previous strikes in March 2025
Memorandum of records of the Belgian Federal Parliament Multiple rail strikes in March 2025including extended pauses From Sunday, March 16 to Monday, March 17Which confirms that the move that occurred in late November is part of a broader cycle.

8) United Kingdom: LNER dispute resolved
For those planning East Coast trips: LNER The states are now there No more hits Having concluded an agreement with ASLEF, it invites travelers to book “with confidence”. If you saw repeated actions for drivers on weekends earlier in the year, the operator’s current line is that industrial action has occurred I finish.

What to expect next – and what to watch in early 2026

• Britain (across the country): The immediate strike is halted, but the conflict itself is halted It didn’t settle. The Union expects tangible action before November 19 After DfT studied the proposals submitted by the company. Monitor the RMT News page and the CrossCountry Industrial Action Center for any changes.
• Belgium (SNCB/NMBS): Unless a breakthrough is reached in reconciliation, plan for it Very limited service between November 23-26With the emergence of an alternative plan 24 hours ago On SNCB platforms and app. the National ABVV/FGTB strike on 26 November It indicates a wider impact on the public service of that day.
• Expectations for early 2026: As of October 31, 2025,United Kingdom National Railways Industrial work portal SNCP Strike page No specific dates are listed for a rail strike in early 2026. That could change quickly. Travelers should check the same official portals before booking. For Italy, the Garanzia Committee Calendar remains the official source for any new railway strike announcements.

Practical tips for travelers

• United Kingdom (November 1): CrossCountry intends to operate a Full schedule On Saturday, however Engineering works In other places it may require rerouting or re-timing. Use National Rail’s journey planner and CrossCountry’s travel information pages on the day.
• Belgium (November 23-26): Treat the period as such It crashed badly Unless SNCB says otherwise. Check the SNCB application or the “Grève/Stake” page on The previous day travel; This is when the alternative plan is activated under the Minimum Service Law. For Eurostar/TGV/ICE links, consult SNCB International.
• Refunds and Certificates: Belgium availability Strike/delay certificates Online for seven days after travel; The UK has its own compensation schemes for national railway operators.