RMT workers to strike

Following an overwhelming vote for action the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ (RMT) Executive Committee has told its members not to book on for any shifts between 12.01am on Friday and 11.59pm on Saturday.

An RMT spokesman said despite attempts by its officials to negotiate a settlement Rentokil Initial had ‘tried to bulldoze’ through a freeze to any improvements to pay and conditions.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “Initial Rentokil is a wealthy company and they idea that they cannot afford to pay their cleaners on East Midlands trains a decent, living wage is pure nonsense.

“This company has a track record of exploiting its cleaning staff throughout the public services for the maximum profits that can be extracted and our members on this lucrative train franchise are sending out the message that they are prepared to stand up and fight for pay justice.

“I have no doubt that fellow trade unionists will stand together with our members in solidarity on the picket lines in this important dispute.

“That show of strength will send out the clearest possible message to both East Midlands Trains and their contractors that the union is not prepared to tolerate the companies delaying tactics any longer in offering a fair pay offer and real improvements to our members working conditions.

“East Midlands Trains themselves will not be allowed to duck this issue. They have a duty to ensure that their contractors aren’t exploiting their staff and they should be intervening now to help force a solution. RMT remains available for meaningful talks to address the basic issue of pay justice and a living wage at the core of this dispute.”