Eurostar management votes to strike

Management at Eurostar have voted to strike in a dispute over new rosters.

Both the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) stated members had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action – raising the prospect of disruption in the run-up to Christmas.

Staff claim the new roster patterns have been introduced without consultation. The changes to working patterns follow disruption caused by the fire in the tunnel in September, and the resultant amended timetable.

"Our members have told the company very clearly that imposing unfair and unequal rosters is no way to reward staff who did all they could to help Eurostar get back to normal after the recent Channel tunnel fire," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

Eurostar said it had met with both the TSSA and RMT and would seek a resolution to the conflict.

"We are extremely disappointed that our UK train managers have decided on this course of action and at this time, and we will make every effort to ensure our travellers face no further disruption in the busy period up to Christmas and the New Year," customer services director Marc Noaro said.

Chris O'Toole