24 March 2022
RMT Press Office:
Statutory Sick Pay from day one to be scrapped in Covid rules shake up.
RMT criticised new measures coming into force today which will mean those isolating with Covid will not get SSP from day one.
New government guidelines mean that people taking sick leave will only be entitled to SSP from day four.
Several groups of cleaners that are engaged in industrial disputes fighting for the right to paid sick leave by the company.
They will be severely impacted by this change and will have to make the bleak choice between working while ill or slipping further into poverty if they stay at home.
RMT has taken strike action at cleaning companies Churchill and Atalian Servest over wages and the refusal of bosses to pay company sickness remuneration.
General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “The government’s living with Covid strategy is a case of cross your fingers and hope for the best.
“Our cleaner members who are bravely taking strike action for company sick pay will be further pushed into poverty by this decision.
“No one should have to make the appalling choice of whether to pass on their illness to people at work or to lose money when they live week by week.
“The government is effectively running these contracts now so it can sort this tomorrow by mandating these companies to pay our cleaning grades proper occupational sick pay”.
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