As we are all aware our cleaner grade members had a 24 hr strike from 1850 on Thursday 26th June. Firstly I would like to congratulate our brothers and sisters who took part despite unprecedented threats and intimidation from the cleaning companies management and in spite of the poisonous lies spread by the T&G.

The strike action was solid amongst RMT members and a number of T&G members have joined the RMT to take part in the strike. As expected the Fat Cat profiteers (Pirates) who run the cleaning contracts relied on T&G members and agency staff to provide an inadequate level of cleaning on trains and stations. At Northumberland park depot where 35 cleaners were expected to book on for the night shift only 14 entered the depot. An RMT picket line was present and one T&G and two non-union members joined up on the night to support the strike.

The next strike is a 48hr strike starting on Tuesday 1st July at 1850 hrs and it is expected that the impact will be much more significant as the accumulative affect should make it harder to maintain an acceptable standard of cleaning on trains and stations. I would advise all RMT members to apply H&S and not accept sub-standard levels of cleaning. Remember if you feel that there is a real threat to the safety of yourself or customers then you have the right to refuse to work on H&S grounds.

We need to focus on recruiting T&G members who may well be dissatisfied with their own union who are refusing to fight for better pay and conditions and seem more intent on recruiting members than actually representing and fighting for their members. There are also a significant number of non-union members who having seen the example set by RMT members will feel more confident about taking on the Bosses, we need to speak to these cleaners and sign them up to our Union.

Please support the cleaners in whatever way you can, even a friendly word of encouragement can help.