Merseyrail cleaners to take action

Merseyrail cleaners to take action

6 August 2026

RMT Press Office:

Cleaners on Merseyrail employed by outsourcing firm Churchill Services will take 24-hour strike action against low pay from Friday (tomorrow) to Saturday (August 8).

There will be a picket line outside Rail House, located on Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool, L1 1JF from 07.30 hours.

The union believes that Churchill can improve the current low pay offer as the company reported a post-tax profit of £15.3 million for the 2025 financial year, and distributed dividends of approximately £13.5 million. 

Moreover, the company’s highest paid director, who is also a significant shareholder, received remuneration of £603,000.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the company clearly had the capacity to fund the relatively small additional cost required to maintain the current pay differential sought by members.

“Churchill must recognise that our members are some of the poorest paid in our industry and need a pay offer that lifts them out of poverty,” he said. 

RMT remains open to talks, but if Churchill refuses to engage, the union will escalate its industrial campaign.

ENDS

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Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Merseyrail, Churchill, Strike, Cleaners