Eurostar faces Christmas strikes over pay row

LONDON

High-speed train operator Eurostar will face security staff walkouts that will “severely” disrupt busy Christmas services, their trade union has said.    

Eurostar, which links London with Paris and Brussels, is the latest firm hit by strikes as salaries fail to keep pace with rocketing inflation in a cost-of-living crisis.   

The RMT rail union said in a statement that members working as Eurostar security voted overwhelmingly to strike on Dec. 16, 18, 22 and 23.    

“The strike action will severely affect Eurostar services and travel plans for people over the December period,” it added.   

More than 100 staff had voted “emphatically” to reject a pay offer that was below inflation.    

The RMT added that the security workers are employed by facilities contractor Mitie.   

“Security staff are essential to the running of Eurostar and it is disgraceful they are not being paid a decent wage,” said RMT general secretary Mick Lynch.   

“I urge Mitie and Eurostar to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT as soon as possible.”    

Britain faces a grim winter of discontent this year as strikes multiply across public and private sectors as pay is eroded by surging consumer prices.   

Ambulance workers on Nov. 30 joined nurses in voting to go on strike ahead of Christmas.    

Numerous other staff, from lawyers to airport ground personnel, have also held strikes this year as Britain contends with its worst cost-of-living crisis in generations.    

U.K. inflation accelerated in October to a 41-year peak at 11.1 percent on runaway energy and food bills.