RMT CLEANERS LOBBY TO END POVERTY PAY

www.rmt.org.uk :: june/july 2007 :: RMTnews 7 L ast year’s annual general meeting decided that members earning less than £15,000 gross per year, subject to producing proof of earnings, will be given a refund equivalent to paying £1 a week. To claim this benefit, members must fill in an application form for Reduced Rate Contributions, available from branch secretaries. This form, along proof of earnings, must reach the general secretary by August 1 each year. CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY OF REDUCED CONTRIBUTIONS: - Members must earn less than (gross) £15,000 per financial year - Proof of earnings must be provided with this completed form by member to the General Secretary no later than 1st August each year - Acceptable forms of evidence can include a photocopy of P60 or written confirmation from employer of annual earnings Copies have been supplied to all branches and are in a format that allows for duplicates to be reproduced easily. Please contact the membership department at head office for any queries on this matter. The AGM also decided that the Council of Executives may, from time to time, bring in an introductory or discount contribution rate when campaigning in areas of low density of membership. R MT Tube and rail cleaners rallied outside the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre last month to hammer home their message that the time has come to end poverty pay on the capital’s transport network. Together with families and supporters, cleaners lobbied the Mayor’s state of London debate to show Londoners the truth behind “the world’s most successful city”. Delegates were shocked to hear about the appalling pay, working conditions and quality of life for Londoners who clean the railways that millions use everyday. RMT assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski said that many cleaners had to take on two jobs to make ends meet. “We must end the scandal of poverty pay and ensure that cleaners get paid at least the London minimum wage of £7.20 and at least 28 days’ paid holiday,” said Pat. “The cleaning subbies are parasites who make their money by employing people on rock-bottom rates and awful conditions, and the time has come to give them their marching orders and bring all cleaning services back in-house,” he said. The unity of RMT members across the capital has already prevented more than 200 ISS cleaners being made compulsorily redundant, and the union has said it will hold Metronet to a commitment squeezed out of them to bring their cleaning back in- house. The lobby ensured that the scandal of cleaners pay featured prominently at the conference with the Mayor making a number of references to the lobby and the issue. The Londoners’ statement in support of the cleaners is available to sign. It calls on the Mayor and MPs to use all their powers and influence to ensure that cleaners are paid £7.20 per hour as a minimum and other benefits such as improved holidays and help with travel. For copies of the statement ring or email the South East regional office – 0207 529 8860/53 or g.wilkinson@rmt.org.uk or s.cameron@rmt.org.uk RMT CLEANERS LOBBY TO END POVERTY PAY Low paid? Get a discount on your RMT membership fee