The RMT union plans to hold a protest outside the Transport for London (TfL) board meeting at City Hall, advocating for the insourcing of cleaners within the network.
Scheduled for February 4, the demonstration follows TfL’s recent decision to grant a new five-year cleaning contract to the outsourcing firm Mitie.
Details of the Contract and Union’s Demands
TfL has stated that the agreement with Mitie will include a pilot program aimed at evaluating the feasibility of bringing cleaning and facilities management in-house in a cost-effective manner over the long term.
In contrast, the union is urging London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to cancel Mitie’s contract and to develop an immediate plan for the insourcing of all cleaning staff at TfL.
- The new contract encompasses cleaning services for trains, Tube and bus stations, TfL’s head office, and waste management at City Hall.
- It also addresses pest control and graffiti removal.
Cleaning services on the TfL network were previously managed by AMB UK since 2017.
Reactions from Officials and the Union
Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his satisfaction with TfL’s commitment to a comprehensive pilot that explores the potential for in-house cleaning services, emphasizing his long-standing support for insourcing when feasible.
The RMT union argues that the outsourcing of cleaning services reflects a broader trend of „corporate capture“ at TfL.
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey criticized the mayor, stating that he is permitting TfL to be influenced by private corporations that operate outside of democratic oversight.
Dempsey remarked, „Entrusting thousands of cleaners to Mitie for another five years, while professing support for insourcing, reveals the emptiness of that commitment at this time.“
TfL’s Position on Staff Welfare
TfL has asserted that the new contract emphasizes employee welfare, including fair wages, opportunities for advancement, and stable working hours.
A TfL spokesperson noted, „TfL does not currently specialize in cleaning and facilities management, so this pilot will assist in developing internal expertise while evaluating the advantages of insourcing.“
They added, „We will be working through the specifics of this pilot and will share more information as discussions progress.“
Bildquelle: Laurenz Krabisch auf Unsplash
