EUROSTAR: BRUSSELS OPERATIONAL CONTROL CENTRE

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/216/24

6^th September 2024

To: The Secretary

EURO PASSNGER SERVICES BRANCH

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

EUROSTAR: BRUSSELS OPERATIONAL CONTROL CENTRE

 

Further to Head Office Circular NP/200/24, dated 7^th August 2024, I can report that an emergency resolution was received from your Euro Passenger Services Branch as follows: 

 

This branch has no confidence in the OCC (“Operational Control Centre”) since it was set up on 1^st May 2024 in Brussels.

 

This branch notes that we have repeatedly raised our concerns with the company in various meetings, specifically regarding issues such as booking on for duty, safe systems of work related to train faults, ongoing set swaps, and last-minute cancellations that are causing distress to members in the terminal.

 

This branch is dismayed that, despite the extraordinary Eurostar company safety meeting on 21^st August 2024, improvements have not materialised. Train managers, station staff, drivers, and engineering depot staff have no faith in the promises given by senior management that there are no real issues or that there are simply teething problems.

 

Consequently, this branch urges the General Secretary, via the NEC, to formally declare a dispute with Eurostar on this matter.

 

            At its meeting on 5^st September 2024, your National Executive Committee resolved as follows:

 

            That we note the resolution form Euro Passenger Services Branch and we thank them for it.

 

            We instruct the General Secretary to inform the company that we are now in dispute on this matter. We note that a meeting is scheduled with the company for 7^th October. However, due to the serious nature of the matter, an urgent meeting is required.

 

            I have written to the company this afternoon in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety