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Bank holiday Eurostar strike threat

Eurostar faces the threat of strike action over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Rail workers at the Channel Tunnel high speed passenger service today announced seven days of industrial action later this month.

Staff plan to walk out for four days from August 12 until August 15 and for three days over the Bank Holiday weekend from August 27.

The union says the dispute is over unsocial hours and duty rosters for train managers. There are about 80 train managers involved in the dispute.

The union, which is involved strike action at Southern Rail this week, said: “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.”

Eurostar said it has plans in place to cope with strikes and will try to run a normal service during industrial action.

A Eurostar spokesman said: “We are aware of the plans for strike action and our focus has been seeking a joint resolution whilst planning to provide a good service for our customers.

“On the days of the strike we have made some small changes to or timetable to ensure that all passengers booked to travel will be able to on those days. Passengers affected will be notified in advance.”

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