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Eurostar staff to strike over pay Eurostar staff to strike over pay
(10 minutes later)
A strike affecting cross-Channel trains is to go ahead on Friday and Saturday after negotiations between unions and Eurostar's management broke down.A strike affecting cross-Channel trains is to go ahead on Friday and Saturday after negotiations between unions and Eurostar's management broke down.
About 70 drivers and 20 on-board staff have said they will walk out for 48 hours in a row about pay. About 70 drivers and 20 on-board staff are to walk out over pay for 48 hours. The Aslef union said there could be "some inconvenience" to passengers.
The action threatens to affect services from London St Pancras, Ashford and Ebbsfleet to France and Belgium.
Eurostar said it had made a "fair and reasonable" offer and was intending to operate "a normal service".Eurostar said it had made a "fair and reasonable" offer and was intending to operate "a normal service".
"We are confident that we will cover the trains with our French and Belgian drivers," said a spokesman. The firm is confident it can cover the trains with French and Belgian drivers.
The services in question are from London St Pancras, Ashford and Ebbsfleet to France and Belgium.
'Huge disappointment''Huge disappointment'
Further strike action has been promised on 26 and 27 December unless the row is resolved before Christmas.Further strike action has been promised on 26 and 27 December unless the row is resolved before Christmas.
The Aslef union confirmed it was proceeding with this week's walkout, despite discussions between the two sides on Wednesday.The Aslef union confirmed it was proceeding with this week's walkout, despite discussions between the two sides on Wednesday.
"There is likely to be some inconvenience to passengers," a spokesman said.
The leader of a second union involved said he realised a strike would lead to "huge disappointment" among travellers planning Christmas shopping trips to Lille and Paris.The leader of a second union involved said he realised a strike would lead to "huge disappointment" among travellers planning Christmas shopping trips to Lille and Paris.
"I wish to apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause," said Gerry Doherty of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association."I wish to apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause," said Gerry Doherty of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association.
"But their anger would be better directed at Eurostar who have been refusing for months to reach a sensible settlement with us.""But their anger would be better directed at Eurostar who have been refusing for months to reach a sensible settlement with us."