Eurostar faces travel chaos in the lead-up to Christmas after security staff voted to strike for four days in a dispute over pay. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, employed by private contractor Mitie, will walk out on December 16, 18, 22 and 23.
The RMT said the strike will “severely affect” Eurostar services and disrupt travel plans for people heading to or from the Continent over the festive period. More than 100 security staff are involved in the dispute.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Eurostar security staff are essential to the running of Eurostar, and it is disgraceful they are not being paid a decent wage. They work long, unsocial hours and a multimillion-pound company like Mitie can easily afford to pay them decently.”
Mitie said it was “disappointed” by the decision, noting that it had already offered a significant pay increase and that negotiations were ongoing. The company also highlighted a £10 winter support package for the lowest-paid colleagues.
The strikes coincide with other walkouts on the railways, including RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train operators on December 16, and workers who clean trains and stations on December 22 and 23.
