The ABTA Destination Services team have been advised of proposed strike action by some Eurostar workers.

We understand that some Eurostar train managers, who belong to the RMT union have voted in favour of strike action regarding work-life balance. If the strike action goes ahead, it will be for a period of seven days, split over two weekends in August.

The proposed strike dates and timings that have been announced are as follows:

• Four days of strike action from 0001 Hours on Friday 12th August 2016 until 2359 hours on Monday 15th August 2016.

• Three days of strike action from 0001 hours on Saturday 27th August 2016 until 2359 hours on Monday 29th August 2016.

We are seeking confirmation from Eurostar as to the impact this proposed strike action may have on their services and we will update members when further information is known.

RMT Union Statement

RMT Announces Two Blocks of Strike Action over Rostering of Eurostar Train Managers

In a long-running dispute with Eurostar International Ltd on the work/life balance of safety-critical train managers, rail union RMT is today announcing two periods of strike action on the service.

The strike action will take place over two weekends in August totalling 7 days of strikes as follows:

Four days of strike action from 0001 Hours on Friday 12th August 2016 until 2359 hours on Monday 15th August 2016.

Three days of strike action from 0001 hours on Saturday 27th August 2016 until 2359 hours on Monday 29th August 2016.

The dispute centres on Eurostar’s failure to honour an agreement from 2008 which sought to ensure that train managers could expect a good work-life balance in terms of unsocial hours and duty rosters. RMT members voted massively in favour of strike action on the basis that Eurostar had failed to honour their commitments and the fact that work-life balance was being repeatedly undermined.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said:

“Our train manager members at Eurostar have a heavy commitment to shift work and unsocial hours and are sick and tired of the company’s failure to honour agreements. Our members have every right to have a fair work/life balance that fulfils the operational needs of the company while guaranteeing quality time off for friends and family.

"It’s now time for Eurostar to come to the negotiating table with a set of proposals that honours our agreements and guarantees our members a genuine work-life balance.”

Source: https://abta.com/

More information at: http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/service-information/eurostar-service-update