Eurostar in Paris tells passengers 'not to travel' due to French customs protest
Eurostar was telling all passengers 'not to travel' through Paris on Wednesday due to the ongoing industrial action by French customs officers. There were hopes that the 'work to rule' protest would end after crunch talks between unions and government ministers.
"We are advising all our customers not to travel with us. If this is not possible, please be extremely patient. Our teams are doing their best to help where/when needed," said the manager of Eurostar at Paris Gare du Nord, Lawrence on Twitter.
He warned that there are still "severe delays" of over four hours, as well as cancellations due to the fact that French customs officers are still carrying out their work-to-rule industrial action aimed at showing the kind of chaos at customs checks that will happen after Brexit.
#Eurostar update ⚠️ severe delays (+4h) & cancellations today 13.3.19. FR customs are *still* on strike. We are advising all our customers not to travel with us. If this is not possible, please be extremely patient. Our teams are doing their best to help where/when needed.
— LawrencePNO (@LMEEurostar) March 13, 2019
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Eurostar announced that five trains were cancelled on Wednesday: the 10:06 from Paris Nord to London St Pancras, the 15:03 from Paris Nord to Ebbsfleet International and London St Pancras, the 20:07 from Paris Nord to Ashford International and London St Pancras, the 21:03 from Paris Nord to Ebbsfleet International and London St Pancras, the 19:01 from London St Pancras to Paris Nord.
The company also warned that customers could expect long queues in Lille.
The situation has come somewhat as a surprise to Eurostar whose staff seemed to be optimistic that Tuesday's crunch talks between the customs officials union and the French government had been positive and would result in an end to the action.
"I do not have detailed information but I was informed that talks were apparently constructive. Hence my deception this morning when I’m greeted by customs still on strike," tweeted Lawrence.
I do not have detailed information but I was informed that talks were apparently constructive. Hence my deception this morning when I’m greeted by customs still on strike.
— LawrencePNO (@LMEEurostar) March 13, 2019
After the negotiations unions announced that the French government had released €14 million to improve the salaries of customs officers.
However Vincent Thomazo from UNSA union told La Voix du Nord: "It's the grassroots (of the protest) that will make decisions" for the rest of the movement.
"As of now (Tuesday afternoon), we are contacting agents on the ground. They will take the news and discuss it with each other.
"Pending the end of these national consultations (Grand Debat), scheduled for Wednesday noon, the movement could therefore harden in some places, if the field agents decide it should."
The customs officials' list of demands includes additional staff and equipment, new infrastructure and better financial benefits.
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"We are advising all our customers not to travel with us. If this is not possible, please be extremely patient. Our teams are doing their best to help where/when needed," said the manager of Eurostar at Paris Gare du Nord, Lawrence on Twitter.
He warned that there are still "severe delays" of over four hours, as well as cancellations due to the fact that French customs officers are still carrying out their work-to-rule industrial action aimed at showing the kind of chaos at customs checks that will happen after Brexit.
#Eurostar update ⚠️ severe delays (+4h) & cancellations today 13.3.19. FR customs are *still* on strike. We are advising all our customers not to travel with us. If this is not possible, please be extremely patient. Our teams are doing their best to help where/when needed.
— LawrencePNO (@LMEEurostar) March 13, 2019
READ ALSO:
Eurostar announced that five trains were cancelled on Wednesday: the 10:06 from Paris Nord to London St Pancras, the 15:03 from Paris Nord to Ebbsfleet International and London St Pancras, the 20:07 from Paris Nord to Ashford International and London St Pancras, the 21:03 from Paris Nord to Ebbsfleet International and London St Pancras, the 19:01 from London St Pancras to Paris Nord.
The company also warned that customers could expect long queues in Lille.
The situation has come somewhat as a surprise to Eurostar whose staff seemed to be optimistic that Tuesday's crunch talks between the customs officials union and the French government had been positive and would result in an end to the action.
"I do not have detailed information but I was informed that talks were apparently constructive. Hence my deception this morning when I’m greeted by customs still on strike," tweeted Lawrence.
I do not have detailed information but I was informed that talks were apparently constructive. Hence my deception this morning when I’m greeted by customs still on strike.
— LawrencePNO (@LMEEurostar) March 13, 2019
After the negotiations unions announced that the French government had released €14 million to improve the salaries of customs officers.
However Vincent Thomazo from UNSA union told La Voix du Nord: "It's the grassroots (of the protest) that will make decisions" for the rest of the movement.
"As of now (Tuesday afternoon), we are contacting agents on the ground. They will take the news and discuss it with each other.
"Pending the end of these national consultations (Grand Debat), scheduled for Wednesday noon, the movement could therefore harden in some places, if the field agents decide it should."
The customs officials' list of demands includes additional staff and equipment, new infrastructure and better financial benefits.
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