Eurostar staff to go on strike for seven days over work-life balance

Eurostar workers are to strike for seven days, including over the August bank holiday, due to a dispute over their work-life balance.

The strike will start from 0001 BST on 12 August until 2359 on 15 August, which coincides with the Assumption Day holiday in France and Belgium, and for three days over the UK bank holiday weekend from 27 August.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said passengers with tickets would still be able to travel on the high speed rail service, as they will be put on alternative trains and only one train a day will be cancelled during the first spell of action.

A spokesperson said: "On the days of the strike we have made some small changes to our timetable to ensure that all passengers booked to travel will be able to on those days. Passengers affected will be notified in advance."

Most Eurostar staff are members of French unions and will not be involved in the strikes and the UK strike involve 80 train managers in a dispute over unsocial hours and duty rosters.

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."

The RMT trade union is also involved in other industrial action taking place. Members from Southern Rail are currently on a five day strike over the role of conductors, and Virgin Trains and East Coast members voted on Tuesday to strike over staffing changes.