LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews 7 RMT has launched a series of campaigning events across the country demanding Justice for Mitie cleaners on Network Rail managed stations and urging the public to sign the petition supporting a living wage for a group of crucial staff who do some of the dirtiest jobs on the railways. The union also welcomed the news that MSPs from across Scotland’s political parties are supporting a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on outsourcing firm Mitie to pay the Real Living Wage to cleaners who work at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central stations. The motion, tabled by Elaine Smith MSP, follows protests from cleaners at both stations recently and a petition which has secured more than 60,000 signatures. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has encouraged businesses in Scotland including those delivery public contracts to move toward paying the Real Living Wage. “I would encourage businesses and organisations to recognise the benefits of the Real Living Wage which is not only helping to ensure people’s basic pay meets the cost of living but is increasing staff retention, productivity and boosting morale in the workplace,” she said. Mitie was awarded the cleaning contract by Network Rail, which runs the stations at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. The company has paid out nearly £49 million to its shareholders in dividends in the last five years but refuses to pay its cleaners the Real Living Wage. Network Rail has outsourced the work of cleaning at many of its stations to a company called Mitie Facilities Management, part of the Mitie Group plc. That won’t pay its cleaners the Real Living Wage. A recent RMT survey of Mitie workers came back with 50 per cent of respondents saying they struggled to make ends meet. The union believes that a multi- million pound public company like Network Rail should not be allowing its contractors to pay poverty wages. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that RMT’s campaign was gaining momentum in Scotland with political and public support now rolling in. “We welcome the motion in the Scottish Parliament tabled by Elaine Smith MSP. The fact that it has quickly gained support from MSP’s from across the political parties is a real boost to our campaign. “In addition to this political support, the strength of support from the public can be seen by the fact we now have over 60,000 signatures on the petition in support of this fight for pay and workplace justice. “It is a scandal that the staff employed by outsourcing giant Mitie who clean stations for Network Rail, doing some of the dirtiest work in the rail industry at all hours of the night and day, are struggling to make ends meet on poverty pay. It is time for Mitie and Network Rail to end this disgraceful exploitation and take urgent action,” he said. The petition can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/peti tions/pay-the-living-wage-to- mitie-cleaners-now. R MT members employed by rail renewals contractor Clarke Chapman Facilities Management took further strike action last month in their fight for pay justice. Clarke Chapman Facilities Management are a contractor carrying out work across the UK for Network Rail. Previous strike in July resulted in all the contractor’s scheduled work being cancelled. A continuous overtime and rest day working ban remains in force until further notice. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that members had been forced to take strike action again in their fight for pay justice at Clarke Chapman Facilities Management. “I would like to congratulate them for their steadfast determination. Last time they took action all of the company’s planned work was cancelled. This was an absolutely fantastic outcome and proves what can happen when union members stand together. “Despite this shut down, the company has still not contacted the union to try and resolve this dispute. It is clear that they are burying their heads in the sand, in hope that the dispute will resolve itself. “This is an appalling way to hold negotiations and just shows the clear contempt management has for its workers,” he said. LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN RAIL RENEWALS STRIKE