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MPs get involved in Metro cleaners row
HOT ISSUE ... but the RMT's Craig Johnston hopes progress can now be made.
METRO station cleaners fighting for free travel to and from work have received MPs’ backing in their battle with transport chiefs.
About 70 cleaners – many working and living in South Tyneside – lobbied a meeting of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) hours after nine MPs signed a parliamentary motion in support.
It was tabled by Gateshead MP Ian Mearns and backed, among others, by Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell and Mary Glindon, who represents North Tyneside.
Cleaners and RMT union members lobbied the ITA at its meeting at Newcastle Civic Centre.
A delegation was invited in by ITA chairman Dave Wood, who told them he would discuss the issue with Metro operator Nexus next week.
Craig Johnston, the RMT union’s relief Northern regional organiser, based in South Shields, said he hoped progress could now be made.
But he warned the RMT would continue to press the issue until change came.
Mr Johnston added: “This is a hot issue and one we will not let go of. As with all things that are wrong, it needs to be put right. It would not cost Nexus a penny to give these workers free travel to and from work. The situation is simply not acceptable
“We will battle on and continue to lobby the ITA until change comes and we will also go outside Nexus’ offices if we have to.”
Mr Mearns’ motion called on the ITA to give the same travel rights to cleaners enjoyed by other staff on the rail network.
The cleaners, contracted by Hertfordshire-based Churchill Contract Services, are paid the minimum wage of £6.08 an hour.
Of winning the MPs’ support, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Ian Mearns and all the MPs who have already signed this motion are to be congratulated for adding their voices to the campaign to end this injustice.
“Tyne and Wear ITA has a moral responsibility to ensure that all workers who help keep the Metro running are treated fairly.
“It is ludicrous that the lowest-paid staff are expected to pay to gain access to their own workplace, not least because it wouldn’t cost a penny to put right.
“Churchill has no excuse either, and for a company that increased its pre-tax profit by 81 per cent between 2009 and 2010 to expect its minimum-wage employees to pay these fares is simply immoral.”
Northern TUC secretary Kevin Rowan also backed the cleaners, adding: “It is scandalous that a group of low-paid workers who play a crucial role should have to pay to travel to work on it.
“The Northern TUC, which represents workers across the region, is 100 per cent behind this campaign.
“We will be applying pressure on Tyne and Wear ITA and Churchill Contract Services until this unfair anomaly is put right.”
Nexus has said it is the responsibility of Churchill to cover travel costs.
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Comments
There are 9 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Wavydavy
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 02:56 PM"Pay to gain access to their own workplace" sounds like a political play on words. If it was part of their contract when they signed up, they should get it and retrospectively. If not, They can take it up through the normal procedures with the union and negotiate it in. If that isn't good enough they have the right to leave and find other work. While the union harp on about the minimum wage paid to these workers, It is somewhat hypocritical that the self professed "socialist cum communist" leader of the RMT, Bob Crow earns in excess of 150,000 a year up from 85,000 in 2008 off the backs of the people he claims to represent. A clear case of " we are all equal, however, some are more equal than others". And why are MP's getting involved, they should look to get the house the were elected to, in order. Pure politics.
geordie999
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 11:28 PMA company that increased its pre tax profit 81% from 2009-2010 can afford it ,..Menace .Essential costs ?
The Menace
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 08:31 PMAt a cost of £882 a year. Taking their wage and an assumption of 37.5 hours a week that would be close to a 7.5% pay rise! Never going to happen.
geordie999
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 08:01 PMwould have thought "pass" all zones at all times ..just a perk inc in pay that Churchill provides .
The Menace
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 07:29 PMI dont have a problem with Churchill paying or supplying a pass for their employees, I asked the question because it is not the responsibility of Nexus to supply these people with a mode of transport, after all does your employer pay for you to travel to work and back?
geordie999
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 05:20 PMAnd you have to ask ? Menace , if staff have to travel around different locations on metro just to do job ..seems only fair company provides them with pass, that company should be who they work for ......would an MP pay his own rail fares , a plumber pay for the fuel for works van etc etc etc .?
The Menace
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 05:07 PMWhy should these staff have a pass Geordie?
geordie999
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 05:01 PMChurchill services should pay for passes for its staff , metro, nexus are not the ones at fault .. surely a price was agreed at time of contract for all costs involved ..therefore travel should have been included. If it has ,..has it been passed on to workers ,..if not why ? saying that i agree staff should have pass ...
RobbieJ
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 12:32 PMCrow is an idiot for saying that staff are expected to pay to gain access to their own workplace. They, like most of the working world, have to travel to work at their own cost. Maybe Crow will get me some petrol money from my employer? The fella is so detached from reality it is unreal!
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