Eurostar security guards vote unanimously for strike action
RMT: 3 August 2005
BRITAIN'S BIGGEST rail union, RMT, has welcomed a solid vote for strike action for trade union recognition today by security guards working for Chubb at Eurostar depots at North Pole, Waterloo and Ashford International.
The 100 per cent ballot result for action showed the depth of anger over the lack of basic rights and more and more staff are joining RMT to be part of the fight to win union representation.
RMT will now inform Chubb of the result and the union's Council of Executives will consider dates for strike action.
The union has also called a strike ballot at Momentum Services Ltd on the Eurostar contract after the company also refused to recognise the union. That ballot will close on Thursday August 11, 2005.
"Of course, these disputes would not be necessary if agreements can be reached on the recognition and improvements to rates of pay on the Eurostar contract," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.
"These members are working in traditional areas of the rail industry and deserve basic rights to recognition and representation," he said.
Bob Crow said that RMT remains available for talks but the ball was now firmly in Chubb's court to negotiate in order to achieve a settlement.