Rail union ballots for strike over fingerprints

Eurostar cleaners are considering strike action over changes to working practises which mean they must provide fingerprints when they clock on or off.

Railway union RMT is calling on members working for Carlisle Cleaning Services which runs cleaning services at St Pancras on behalf of Eurostar to ballot to go on strike over the move.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crowe said: “The introduction of routine staff finger printing is totally outrageous and further proof that our surveillance society is spiraling out of control. Carlisle Group cannot be allowed to introduce these Orwellian working practices.”

Crowe said he'd written to both Eurostar and Carlisle asking for the machines to be removed. the union is recommending strike action.

Ballots will open 21 April and close 5 May. ®