Possible Eurostar strikes over Christmas period
Possible Eurostar strikes over Christmas period
Eurostar services could be affected by strikes over the Christmas period. Union leaders have urged Eurostar train managers to vote in favour of industrial action following a dispute over shift patterns.
The Royal Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) have opened ballots and are calling for
strikes on Eurostar services. The unions oppose the new rosters which have recently been introduced by the train operator.
Union leaders have urged Eurostar to enter into discussions with their members in order to avoid
disruption for travellers at
London's
St Pancras terminal over the Christmas period.
"The company's own policy clearly states that local
working arrangements are discussed at local level, but it has completely disregarded agreements, bypassed levels of
negotiation and sought to impose unfair rosters," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said of the new working patterns.
"Our members are angry that the company is attempting to undermine their ability to balance their working and home lives, and it is time for Eurostar to step back and talk."
TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty explained that
industrial action would be the worst case scenario.
"No one wants to see services disrupted in the run up to
Christmas and the way to avoid this is to share weekend working equally among train managers on both sides of the Channel."
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