French employees at Eurotunnel, the company that runs the “tunnel,” went on strike, so trains bound for France or Belgium were unable to leave St Pancras railway station in London as of Thursday afternoon.
The company that runs Eurotunnel as a subsidiary, Getlink, issued a statement during the afternoon saying the strike was widespread and affecting all British and French railway stations served by the company.
As a result of the strike, passengers with valid tickets bound for France were forced off trains by railway staff, and all afternoon services at affected railway stations in France and Belgium were cancelled.
Due to the strike, not only Eurostar passenger trains but also entire car and truck trains stopped in the tunnel.
In response to news of the strike, French Transport Minister Clement Beaune described the work stoppage as unacceptable on the social portal
Eurostar rail also issued a statement regarding the X, asking the traveling public to postpone its journey.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, the six French unions that announced the strike denied that it was an unexpected work stoppage, and said that they had warned the company’s management of the impossible social situation of the workers for several months. At the same time, representatives of the interests announced that they would begin negotiations with the company’s management during the afternoon.
According to Getlink, trade unions are demanding the company triple the special allowance of 1,000 euros (383,000 HUF) it previously promised to workers.
Cover image source: MTI/EPA/TERESA SUAREZ
