Eurostar security staff to strike in run-up to Christmas

Security staff who work on the Eurostar train service are to strike for four days in the run-up to Christmas in a dispute over pay.

The walk outs are planned to take place on the 16, 18, 22 and 23 December.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, employed by a private contractor, voted overwhelmingly in favour of the action.

The BBC has contacted Eurostar for comment but the union said the strike would "severely affect" services.

More than 100 security staff employed by facilities management company Mitie are due to walk out.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the security staff were "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 for the essential work they do.

Other strikes are planned on the UK's railways in December

RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train operators are due to strike on 16 December.