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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2019 :: RMTnews 6 L ondon Underground has again outsourced Tube cleaning at the end of last year, this time on a five year contract to Global Corporation ABM. When ABM initially took over the contract Transport for London’s s own press release said that there would be at least 2,800 staff and the company informed RMT that the new combined cleaning workforce consisted of some 2,800 to 3,200 people. ABM has now informed the union that the target figure for the entire workforce is 2,000, meaning a one third cut in the Tube cleaning workforce. RMT general secretary Mick Cash has written to the London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who is ultimately responsible for London Underground, to raise concerns about a massive cut in Tube cleaning staffing levels on the London Underground. Tube cleaners worked in dirty and hazardous conditions, frequently through the night time and other unsocial hours to keep the Capital’s Underground network clear of obstructions and in a hygienic condition. “RMT, and indeed a number of MPs, has already expressed the view that this outsourced cleaning work be returned in- house as soon as practicable and we have also expressed concern that Tube cleaners are being treated less favourably compared to other workers who work on the Underground including inferior sick pay, holidays, pensions and travel facilities.” “Now on top of this RMT have been told by ABM that there is to be a one third reduction in cleaning workforce and this raises serious concerns about the quality and frequency that will be undertaken in the future but also means that the same amount of cleaning work for the whole of the Tube is expected to be done by about a third less staff which will hugely add to the numerous pressures already endured by our cleaners. “I hope you would agree that such a high profile, world famous public service as the London Underground should be leading the way in providing decent working conditions for all staff instead of allowing the most vulnerable workers to be exploited in this way. “I would therefore be grateful if you could urgently investigate this matter and confirm that tube cleaning staffing levels will be in the 3000 region as originally stipulated and not 2000 as ABM are now stating,” he wrote. LONDON UNDERGROUND CLEANING JOBS UNDER THREAT R MT has confirmed ISS contract workers based at Edinburgh Waverly will be taking strike action after the company reneged on promises to improve staff accommodation facilities and install air conditioning. RMT has described the working facilities inflicted on this core group of rail support staff as a disgrace to the railway in Scotland and an appalling indictment of the way that private contractors think they can get away with treating their workforce. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the fact that low paid ISS contractors are being forced to strike over broken promises to improve workplace conditions is a scandal and the company should be hanging their heads in shame. "The working facilitiesinflicted on this core group of rail support staff are a disgrace to the railway in Scotland and an appalling indictment of the way that private contractors think they can get away with treating their workforce. "It is clear that the only way we can get ISS to keep their word on making substantial improvements to their staff accommodation and facilities is by taking strike action,” he said. ISS STAFF TO STRIKE IN EDINBURGH Signalling and operations Grades Crewe February 23 – 24 London Young members’ conference February 24 – 25 Doncaster Health and safety conference February 27 Dover Women’s conference March 1– 2 Birmingham Education conference March 12 Portsmouth Supervisory and associated grades conference March 16–17 Edinburgh Black and ethnic minority conference March 27– 28 Birmingham April 5–6 Catering grades conference Chatham April 11– 12 Train crew and shunting grades conference Dunfermline Station staff and associated Grades April 12– 13 Leeds April 13 Road freight and logistics conference Manchester Retired members’ conference April 17 Salisbury Bus workers conference April 25 – 26 Rugby Engineering grades conference April 25 – 26 Plymouth Disabled workers conference April 27 – 28 Southend May 11 Transport cleaning workers conference LGBT+ members’ conference Torquay May 17–18 Bowness Bay Branch regional council secretaries June 2 Manchester Annual General Meeting June 23– 28 RMT INDUSTRIAL ORGANISING CONFERENCES AND EQUALITY ADVISORIES FOR 2019 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR BRANCH SECRETARY