Eurostar disruption threat "over"

Belgian and French drivers to be brought in

Eurostar trains is set to operate normally over this weekend and the Christmas period despite planned strikes by UK drivers.  

Some 70 Eurostar train drivers belonging to the British union ASLEF are due to strike at one minute past midnight tonight (December 18).

But the high speed  cross channel rail operator has opted to draft in its Belgian and French drivers to cover services that would have been affected.

The dispute with UK drivers is over the value of allowances which have dropped because of changes in the value of the Euro against the British pound.

ASLEF, the train drivers' union, said: "The real value of drivers' international allowances has declined as the value of the pound sterling has dropped compared with the Euro.

"Allowances have been increased in line with UK inflation, but this has not matched the exchange rate.

"Thus the 71 ASLEF represented drivers lose money when they are in Belgium or Paris."

The union claims that there is a formula that could resolve the issue, but that Eurostar is allegedly refusing to implement it.

Eurostar train managers belonging to TSSA (the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association) were also threatening to strike, but a pay deal has now been accepted.

A second strike by ASLEF is planned for December 26 and 27, when Eurostar said it will again use its French and Belgian drivers to avoid disruption to cross-channel services.

www.eurostar.com   www.tssa.org.uk