Strikes could disrupt Eurostar services

Travellers planning to use Eurostar services for Christmas trips to the continent may have to rely on ferry crossings after it was announced that some of the rail company's employees have voted to go on strike.

Train managers belonging to the RMT and TSSA unions voted heavily in favour of industrial action after Eurostar imposed new rosters.

The unions claim that the new rosters breach an agreement which requires new shift patterns to be approved in advance by worker representatives.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "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."

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of TSSA, added: "Nobody wants to see services disrupted as Christmas approaches, but our members are telling us that they cannot accept unfair and imposed rosters that undermine their work-life balance."

If the action goes ahead, it could see the ferry port of Dover handling an upsurge in passengers who had planned to travel with Eurostar, as was the case in September following the fire in the Channel Tunnel.

Dover provides services to Calais and Dunkerque operated by P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Norfolkline.

Dover - Calais

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on:

03/06/2012 - 03/06/2012

£13

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Dover - Calais

Car + 2 Return

Travelling on:

11/06/2012 - 11/06/2012

£19

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Dover - Calais

Car + 4 Return

Travelling on:

16/06/2012 - 16/06/2012

£19

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