MOVES to introduce train despatching by Eurostar train managers have prompted the RMT union to call for industrial action next month.
However, Eurostar says it has ‘robust’ contingency plans which will keep its services running normally.
The RMT, which has obtained a vote from its members in favour of action short of a strike, claimed that train despatching, currently being carried out by platform staff in Paris, was being transferred to train managers as a cost cutting measure.
The London-based union also disputed a Eurostar claim that its French crews had already agreed to the change.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Eurostar failed to guarantee that it will not impose self-dispatch, either at Paris or elsewhere on the Eurostar network.
“Our members have delivered their decisive verdict and the union has instructed them not to carry out self-dispatch duties.
“The company tried to hoodwink our members by claiming falsely that their French colleagues had already agreed to self-dispatch, and that is no way to try to conduct industrial relations.
“This a purely cost-cutting exercise that would load additional safety-critical responsibilities on to train managers and we will not stand by and watch the levelling-down of standards.”
Eurostar said its services would continue even if action took place, but called for more talks over the issue.
A spokesman explained: “Eurostar has robust contingency arrangements in place and currently we are confident that there will be no disruption to our services or our customers.
“This new process is commonly used in France and is a normal part of the safety duty for our French team. Ahead of the planned action we will continue to seek to reach an agreement with the RMT.”