RMT WINS RE-INSTATEMENT FOR RMT TUBE CLEANER REP

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: february 2009 :: RMTnews 6 T ube cleaning contractor ISS reversed a decision to dismiss RMT rep Clara Osagiede (right) after activists lobbied the company’s headquarters before her appeal was heard. However, the company upheld a decision to sack another rep Mary Boayke in a move RMT general secretary Bob Crow branded as a "ruthless attack on workers' rights". Some 700 low-paid cleaners working for Tube privateers including ISS took unprecedented strike action last summer against low pay. Mary and Clara were among those that helped lead the fight to win the London living wage of £7.45 an hour and unionising previously unorganised workers. The dismissals were seen as reprisals by ISS and an attempt to hit back at the union. "RMT reps at ISS are picked on for disciplinary charges far more often than other employees and the company is clearly acting vindictively after the union secured its historic victory against low pay," Bob revealed. He explained that Clara was "charged with gross misconduct despite being on recognised union duties and Mary was fired on trumped-up charges of sleeping on the job when she was in fact ill". RMT London regional organiser Steve Hedley declared that Mary's treatment by ISS had been "ruthless". "Management are furious that their workers have so successfully organised and stood up against low pay. Sacking Mary is an attack on the cleaners and an attack on the union," he said. Mary explained that she had closed her eyes at work because she had an eye injury — and she was at work because ISS still refuse to give their cleaners sick pay. "It’s terrible what has happened to Mary, there has been a backlash from the contractors since we won the living wage," Clara said. "The companies want to get rid of some activists and silence others, but they won’t stop our struggle," she defiantly declared. Protesters descended on the ISS headquarters in Greenwich, south London, to demonstrate in solidarity with the victimised union reps as they attended their disciplinary hearings. The RMT reps received strong backing from Labour MR John McDonnell and Tony Benn, who sent letters to ISS bosses demanding an end to the attacks. "It is a disgrace that, since the strike action last summer, union activists, who already face daily exploitation and abuse at work, have faced victimisation and disciplinary action. "Being able to engage in trade union activities is a basic human right and I completely support the RMT cleaners," Mr McDonnell said. Bob Crow pledged that RMT would keep fighting for Mary. “We defend our members to the end, and we will make sure that any employer who tries to victimise our reps know it," he insisted S teve Hedley has been elected as the new regional organiser for the London area. Steve thanked all those that took part in the election. “We will need this vibrant democracy in the London Transport region of our union if we are to tackle the challenges we face,” he said. Steve, who has worked for infrastructure companies on the railway and on the Tube for many years, said that winning decent pay deals, defending working conditions and promoting dignity at work would be the cornerstones of his work. “Our members should not be forced to pay for the economic crisis caused by the bankers that have been handed billion in taxpayers’ money,” he said. He pointed out that London mayor Boris Johnston should not be looking to cut funding for London’s transport network but seeking funding from the government to protect services. “If private financial institutions can go cap-in-hand for public money then public services should be treated in the same way,” he said. RMT WINS RE-INSTATEMENT FOR RMT TUBE CLEANER REP NEW REGIONAL ORGANISER FOR LONDON