Eurostar security staff to join railway workers in pre-Christmas strike
Eurostar’s passengers might need to brace for disruption over the Christmas period, as security staff contracted by facility manager Mitie have announced a strike for mid-December.
Over 100 members of the union RMT are set to walk out on 16, 18, 22, 23 December as part of an ongoing dispute over salaries.
This will severely impact thousands of people travelling to the continent for the holidays.
RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch said that while workers didn’t want to disrupt people’s travel plans, members needed a pay rise and striking was “the only way management will listen.”
A Mitie spokesperson told Morning Wire the company was disappointed by the RMT’s decision to strike “given we have already offered a significant pay increase and negotiations are ongoing.”
The facility manager also said it had robust contingency measures in place.
It is understood that Mitie’s current offer was a 10 per cent increase in salary.
Eurostar was aware of the ongoing negotiations and notify passengers of any changes.
Business Travel Association’s (BTA) chief executive Clive Wratten said the strikes were “another disappointing blow to business travellers across the country.”
He called on the government and unions to resolve the dispute “so that travel may get back on track ahead of a busy Christmas period.”
Eurostar’s walk out will coincide with the railway workers’ strike, which is due to take place across Network Rail and 14 other operators on 13, 14, 16, 17 December as well as 3, 4, 6, 7 January – falling slap bang amid the busiest trading period for the retail and hospitality sector.
Travellers saw their plans disrupted over the last couple of days as trains were cancelled due to a faulty line, Morning Wire reported.