Eurostar staff to be balloted on strike action

A dispute involving workers at cross-Channel train operator Eurostar escalated today when union leaders decided to ballot hundreds of maintenance staff on industrial action.

The UK's Rail Maritime and Transport union said 375 engineers and other workers based in London will vote over the next few weeks on whether to launch a campaign of strikes.

RMT members in Eurostar’s customer service department staged a 24-hour walkout on Saturday in a separate row over pay.

The company said the action, in a row over pay differentials between staff based at Ashford in Kent and London’s Waterloo station, had no effect on services.