Europorte, the rail freight subsidiary of the Eurotunnel Group, has signed an agreement with the four main French transport workers’ unions which sets out new working time arrangements in the light of ongoing reforms to the national railway infrastructure. 

The agreement with the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT), Solidaires Unitaires Démocratiques (SUD) and French Confederation of Christian Workers (CFTC) unions sets out the long-term commitment of Europorte France to an industrial relations policy that promotes quality of life without impact on productivity.

Quality of life

It includes more visibility in shift planning, the creation of a ‘time basket’ for additional work-related rest days, and a a quarterly review. Pascal Sainson, Chairman of Europorte, said: “This agreement which has been signed unanimously by the unions will enable us to introduce a working time agreement that provides the best quality of life for our staff without increasing our costs. Rail freight is now, more than ever before, a competitive mode of transport for the future.”

Le Shuttle Freight meanwhile recorded another monthly record for freight moved in March, transporting 151,245 trucks, up five per cent from March 2016 when the previous record was set.  A total 409,856 trucks have gone under the Channel using Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle Freight service since the start of 2017, a tiny fall on the first three months of 2016, when 410,729 trucks were transported.

Eurotunnel revenues for the first quarter of this year are due to be published on April 20, while the figures for April will be published on May 12.