Eurostar cleaners to hold boycott

The RMT union said the cleaners' civil liberties were under threat

Cleaners on Eurostar trains have voted to boycott fingerprinting machines which they claim make them feel like "common criminals".

The new technology replaced old-style clocking-in machines at St Pancras International Station a month ago.

Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union staff who work for the Carlisle Group, a contractor at St Pancras station, will begin the boycott on 12 May.

The Carlisle Group was not available for comment.

The ballot for action closed on Wednesday with 30 to 1 in favour.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "This vote shows just how angry the Eurostar cleaners are at the outrageous introduction of staff fingerprinting and their treatment by the Carlisle Group as little more than common criminals.

"This attack on civil liberties is further proof that our surveillance society is out of control. "

He said members have sent out a clear signal in this ballot that the company cannot be allowed to introduce "Orwellian working practices" and described the introduction of routine staff fingerprinting as "offensive".

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