A NUMBER OF EUROSTAR STAFF TO STRIKE OVER PAY

A strike affecting cross-Channel trains is to go ahead on Friday and Saturday (18th & 19th Dec) after negotiations between unions and Eurostar's management broke down. 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. Eurostar said it had made a "fair and reasonable" offer and was intending to operate "a normal service". The firm is confident it can cover the trains with French and Belgian drivers. The services involved are from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet and Ashford to France and Belgium.