Union demands Sadiq Khan make travel free for Tube cleaners who are 'integral' to capital's coronavirus response

Union bosses have urged Sadiq Khan to reverse a decision to deny free travel to London Underground cleaners
AP
Imogen Braddick5 May 2020

Union bosses have written to Sadiq Khan to demand a reversal of Transport for London's "disgraceful" decision to deny free travel to London Underground's cleaners.

Tube union RMT has called on the Mayor of London to meet with a delegation of cleaners over video call to discuss their concerns amid the coronavirus outbreak.

RMT said its cleaners are being treated as "second-class citizens" by being denied staff travel cards, despite other Tube workers receiving the benefit.

It also says cleaners are only receiving 80 per cent of their pay, while other TfL staff receive 100 per cent.

It comes as a new survey shows that more than 50 per cent of cleaners believe their employer is putting profit before safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The union also raised concerns about TfL's move to outsource the cleaners to a US company called ABM.

A Mayor of London spokesman said TfL is unable to add new travel concessions at the moment, but will continue to work closely with unions to address the concerns.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "The hypocrisy towards Tube cleaners is breath-taking.

"On the one hand they are told by the Mayor and others they are doing a amazing job and they’re vital to the fight against coronavirus, then in the same breath they’re told you can’t have all the same basic conditions of employment as other tube staff, not even free Tube travel.

"Grand public statements are worthless unless there’s a change in the way these cleaners are treated.

"I know Sadiq Khan gets this because he had himself photographed with Underground cleaners employed by ABM as part of TfL’s response to the coronavirus.

"I’ve written to him today calling on him to reverse this shameful decision not to give cleaners free travel and arrange a meeting with our cleaning members so he can hear from them directly."

London Underground lockdown during Coronavirus

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In its letter, the union says the treatment of Tube cleaners is a "stain on TfL".

The letter from Mr Cash says: "We put in this request because, as you know, the people who clean the Underground struggle with the cost of living in London and because this is a concession that is open to other London Underground cleaners to help them with these costs.

"As I’ve written to you before, two thirds of these cleaners already reported struggling to make ends meet, even before the Covid-19 crisis."

It adds: "These cleaners are literally putting their lives on the line every time they go to work. Yet their treatment is a stain on TfL."

It says praising union members for the job they are doing is "meaningless and insulting" when TfL's actions "show exactly the opposite".

"I believe that TfL is way out of step with public opinion here and the more people know about this scandalous treatment the more anger there will be," Mr Cash writes.

"I’m calling on you to make your words and actions mean something by personally intervening today to reverse this decision.

"Furthermore I would like you to meet a delegation of cleaners, virtually as required, so that you can hear from them yourself."

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
PA

A Mayor of London spokesman said: “City Hall and Transport for London are doing everything we can to support our cleaners and all of the capital’s other key workers to ensure that they can continue to make essential journeys safely," he said.

“TfL has secured for cleaners the ability to self-isolate with full pay so that they don’t feel forced to attend work for financial reasons.

“They are also currently able to benefit from free bus travel as passengers have not been required to tap in since middle-door boarding was rolled out across the network last month, and we have temporarily suspended the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and Low Emission Zone.

“While TfL are unable to add new travel concessions at the moment while there is uncertainty about financial support from the Government and income is dramatically reduced due to the reduction in ridership, TfL and City Hall will continue to work closely with unions to address these concerns.”

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