RMT criticises TfL over Mitie cleaning contract for London Underground

The RMT union has criticised Transport for London for awarding a five-year cleaning contract to Mitie, rather than bringing outsourced workers directly into London Underground employment.

The union says the decision leaves cleaners employed by Mitie without the same terms and conditions enjoyed by staff directly employed by TfL. According to RMT, Mitie paid £41.5 million to its investment bank shareholders in the last financial year and maintains an average profit margin of 11% on railway and London Underground contracts. Over the past two years, the company’s chief executive, Phil Bentley, has received £20.5 million in pay.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:

"Rewarding highly profitable companies with a dreadful track record of paying poor wages and not giving staff decent employment conditions, is a disgrace. This is an example of the corporate capture of TfL bosses who are more interested in appeasing their mates in big business, rather than looking after tube staff and passengers’ best interests. Mayor Sadiq Khan has told us that he will insource cleaners on London Underground. However, at this moment, he is failing to deliver that promise and needs to carry out his democratic mandate to deliver for transport workers and passengers in London. Labour has promised the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation and it is now time for a Labour Mayor takes tube cleaners back in house without delay."

The RMT has called on the Mayor to act immediately to insource cleaners, saying the move would provide better pay and conditions for staff while fulfilling political commitments to workers on the Tube.

Image: RMT