Eurostar looks at part-time working to protect jobs

Plans by Eurostar to introduce reduced hours and part-time working where possible throughout 2021 are designed to protect as many jobs as possible, according to the cross-Channel operator.

The company has already announced it will suspend services to the south of France both this summer and next, while the number of trains currently running to Paris and Brussels is greatly reduced. Additionally, while it has restarted its Amsterdam route, it is with a single train per day. Trains to Disneyland Paris begin running at the start of August.

The cuts were made following the outbreak of COVID-19 and uncertainties surrounding future travel patterns.

A Eurostar spokesman told RAIL: “The impact of COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented fall in demand across the travel industry. We are taking steps to protect Eurostar for the long term by reducing costs across the business and are taking a considered approach to reducing our payroll costs, working closely with trade union partners."

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We will work constructively with Eurostar and ministers to protect our members’ jobs and the future of this vital service."

“Sadly, the Conservative Government sold our country’s share in Eurostar in 2015, while the French and Belgian governments continue to own their share of this company and will no doubt intervene to save jobs in their countries. Our government must step up to do likewise.

• For the FULL story, read RAIL 910, published on July 29, and available digitally from July 25.