Metro cleaners to strike over pay

Transport Union RMT have confirmed that cleaners working on the Tyne and Wear Metro will start two weeks of strike action on Friday July 12.

Following a long running dispute over pay and working conditions, cleaners working for Churchill will strike to coincide with the annual Durham Miners Gala.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow will make a speech to the Gala on Saturday July 13 calling for the trade union movement to back the Metro workforce.

Churchill works on the Metro for client DB Regio and the union has also criticised on NEXUS for not forcing its contractors to instruct their subcontractors.

Mr Crow said: “This battle is now seen as having national significance in the campaign against low pay and exploitation by greedy companies and RMT will continue to ratchet up the pressure for fairness for this important group of North East transport staff as part of our national cleaners’ campaign. That is why we will be out in force at the Durham Miners Gala on Saturday, pulling in support for the Metro cleaners from across the length and breadth of the Labour Movement at this massive annual event.

“It remains a scandal that the regional passenger organisation NEXUS, and the operating company DB Regio, have still not lifted a finger to stop this exploitation and poverty pay scandal on their own doorstep and RMT has no intention of letting them off the hook. NEXUS and the City council cannot wash their hands of this dispute and RMT is stepping up the call for them to intervene with Churchill’s to help force a solution as the fight for pay and workplace justice will continue until we win.”

Churchill did not respond to Bdaily’s requests for comment.

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