The Channel Tunnel will reopen “tonight” after the Getlink workers’ strike is over

A surprise strike by workers at the Channel Tunnel’s management company, Getlink, caused work to shut down for several hours on Thursday 21 December. At the beginning of the evening, the unions announced the end of this strike, which was followed by a reopening ” This night ” of the tunnel. “If the company’s employees are returning to work, it is because the negotiations that we carried out fiercely during the day with the general management have produced a result that satisfies us.”Force Ouvrière delegate Frank Herent explained in front of the group’s headquarters in Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, where employees had gathered.

All Eurostar trains running through the tunnel, as well as cars and trucks, were blocked throughout the afternoon as the first departures began for the holidays. This is stated in Eurostar’s announcement “During the day, thirty Eurostar trains were canceled from London, Paris or Brussels”. A strike called by French trade unions followed “Complete suspension of services and closure of our terminals in France and the United Kingdom”Getlink – Eurotunnel’s parent company – reported in a press release.

Passengers panic

Trade union organizations rejected the €1,000 exceptional bonus announced by management at the end of the year and called for a strike to triple it.continued management in his text. “This strong mobilization is not surprising”In turn, the union, which unites the six Eurotunnel unions (FO, CGT, SUD-Rail, CFE-CGC, CFDT and SACDC), was highlighted in a press release. “For several months, all trade union organizations have warned the general leadership about the terrible deterioration of the social climate., he wrote. A few minutes after the announcement of the strike, Minister of Transport Cleman Bonnet condemned it “Blocking the channel tunnel.” [était] unacceptable” And that one ” solution [devait] immediately find ».

The announcement of the cancellation of afternoon trains from London St Pancras station to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam caused panic among passengers. Station receptionists and security officers – who looked equally bewildered – had to even escort passengers who had already passed security checks and were waiting on the platform.

Many travelers who were going to return to France or Belgium for a holiday tried to change their ticket for the next day, or quickly book one of the flights that are still available from the British capital.