News, reports and information for London Transport cleaners
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the new issue of our 'RMT London Calling' newsletter. It urges members to join the fight against the ConDem government's cuts; condemns London Underground's latest job cuts announcement; and reports on RMT's campaigns on Docklands Light Railway, Initial (cleaners) and Alstom.
Dear Colleagues
There will be a protest outside Initial-Rentokil offices in Brunswick place [Old Street tube exit 1] on 11th October at 12 noon to 1 pm.This protest has been called against Initials union busting tactics which include bring cleaners into their offices on the pretence of having a grievance hearing and then calling the police to arrest them.
The RMT cannot stand idly by and allow this crude intimidation to continue. Come and show solidarity with our cleaner members on Monday 11th
Many thanks
Steve Hedley Regional Organiser
Regional Organiser Steve Hedley writes ...
"RMT is holding a protest outside Initial Rentokil offices (Brunswick place, Old Street N1 exit 1 at Old St Station) next Saturday 25th September at 2pm to tell the company in no uncertain terms that we will not allow union busting.
Initial are having people arrested for immigration issues if they complain about not being paid properly or merely becoming active in the RMT. We need your support please attend and show your solidarity with our cleaner members."
TUBE UNION RMT today secured a massive victory for low paid workers as it was confirmed today that all tube cleaners will be paid the London Living Wage of £7.85 per hour backdated to the 1st of July.
RMT has mounted a long and hard campaign for the cleaners to be paid the London minimum and the final group, the Tube Lines cleaners working for ISS, will at last join their colleagues on a decent rate of pay from this month.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
From Steve Hedley, RMT Regional Organiser ...
I am delighted to report that in negotiations conducted today, ISS have agreed to pay the Tube Lines cleaners the London Living Wage of £7.85 for cleaners, and £9.51 for cleaning supervisors from 1 July 2010. This now brings all cleaners on the Underground up to the London Living Wage.
A demonstration is to take place at the offices of UBS at 100, Liverpool Street, EC2, to protest against the actions of Lancaster (Rentokil).
Alberto Durango was sacked from Lancaster on 4th February 2010 for organising the workers and standing up for their rights. Alberto is a good friend of London RMT Bus Workers and they are asked to attend and give their support to him and the cleaners.
The cleaners are being pressured to agree to a cut in working hours with subsequent loss of pay while still being expected to do the same amount of work.
Venue: Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street, Euston.
This meeting will be the Annual General Meeting of the Cleaning Grades Committee. The meeting will elect the cleaning grades officers for 2010.
It is essential that all cleaners who are RMT members attend if possible.
Further meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month
A demonstration will take place from 1pm - 2pm at 100, Liverpool Street, London, EC2, in support of Alberto Durango, a cleaner and rep who has been harassed, victimised and was sacked for his union activities by Lancaster (Rentokil).
Alberto is a good friend of London RMT Bus Workers and they are asked to attend the demonstration and give their support to him.
The Regional Council Secretary wrote to all branches, asking for their assessment of their branch’s work during 2009, and suggesting that they might address the following points:
- whether your membership grew or shrunk during 2009, and why you think this is
- any problems you have had filling reps’ positions within the branch’s area
- how effective your branch was during any industrial action in your area last year
- what recruitment activities you have organised
Tube andTfL union RMT will be holding a demonstration in support of London Underground cleaners fight against privatisation this Wednesday (18 November) as it emerged that senior TfL bosses have received a 50% increase in bonus payments over the past two years from £3.6 million in 2007 to £5.3 million this year.
The tube cleaners, who are also fighting for TfL Chair Boris Johnson’s London Living Wage, will be outside the former Metronet headquarters at Templar House, 81-87 High Holborn at 12 noon on Wednesday 18th November.