Railway cleaners start 11 day strike in pay dispute
Written by First Choice Radio on 27 April 2022
Workers who clean trains for a number of train operators have launched an 11-day strike in a dispute over pay.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by contractors Churchill walked out until May 7.
They clean trains on Govia Thameslink, Eurostar, Southeastern and HS1.
The union is campaigning for cleaning staff to be eligible for company sick pay and free travel, like other railway workers.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This strike is an escalation by our members in their fight for pay justice.
“Churchill need to recognise the damage to its public reputation and the fact customers will have to board filthy trains during their commutes and leisure travel because of their refusal to pay cleaners a decent wage.
“Cleaners were rightly hailed as heroes during the pandemic only to be treated appallingly.
“We will continue to ramp up this campaign and ensure that these greedy multi-million pound contractors are stripped of their ability to exploit workers on our railways.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub
