Discussions between Eurotunnel unions and their management have borne fruit. The end of the surprise strike that began at midday was announced, as well as the reopening “this evening” of the Channel Tunnel.
“The social crisis movement at Eurotunnel is coming to an end (…) Channel tunnel activity will resume this evening,” declared Franck Herent, FO delegate, who read a press release in front of the headquarters in Coquelles, where employees were gathered. “If the company’s employees are returning to their jobs, it is because the negotiations that we fiercely conducted during the day with general management produced results that satisfy us.”
Surprise galley
The sudden announcement of the cancellation of all trains to the continent at St Pancras station in London early Thursday afternoon caused panic among all passengers waiting for their train.
According to an AFP journalist present on site, the reception and security agents at the station – who seemed just as caught off guard – even had to remove passengers who had already passed security checks and were waiting on the dock. Eurostar canceled 30 trains departing from Paris, London and Brussels on Thursday. The company, a subsidiary of SNCF, must provide an update to its customers who have to travel on Friday at 8 p.m. and will reimburse all those whose train has been canceled.