Tunnel drivers call off strikes threat
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• Eurotunnel Freight train drivers have called off a series of 24-hour strikes after accepting an improved 11th-hour pay offer from Eurotunnel bosses.
Rail union ASLEF, which represents the 99 drivers, says they have won a 41,000 increase backdated to 1 October. The lowest-paid drivers, currently on a base salary of £15,500, will get an extra £500.
In an ASLEF ballot last week, more than 84% of the drivers had voted to strike on Monday 23 November, Wednesday 2 December, Wednesday 9 December and Tuesday 15 December. Union bosses had promised that the action would bring tunnel services to a standstill on all four dates.
ASLEF general-secretary Mick Rix says: The improved offer would not have been made had it not been for the threat of industrial action...we will continue to press our demand for formal recognition from Eurotunnel.
Eurotunnel's group managing director Georges-Christian Chazot is "delighted we have been able to resolve this issue... and that our customers have not been inconvenienced."