8 July 2019
RMT Press Office:
Outsourced ISS workers to strike tomorrow on Hitachi/Great Western Railway contract
RMT MEMBERS working for outsourcing giant ISS will be taking 48 hours of strike action from tomorrow evening in opposition to the imposition of shift patterns that will mean them working an additional 60 shifts per year.
The cleaners are sub-contracted to the Hitachi rail contract supplying rolling stock to GWR on the Western train services.
Both Hitachi and ISS are intent on cutting costs and improving profits on their contracts and are determined to ram through shift patterns that will wreck the work/life balance of these night shift cleaners.
The cleaners are determined to defend their established work patterns and returned a 100% yes vote for strike action.
Therefore, RMT members have been instructed not to book on for any turns commencing between:-
•19:59 Hours on Tuesday 9th July 2019 and 19:59 hours on Thursday 11th July 2019
RMT is calling for both Hitachi and ISS to come to their senses and stop ratcheting up the exploitation of these low-paid workers through negotiations with RMT.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;
"It is appalling that ISS staff on this prestigious rail contract are being treated in this disgraceful fashion which will pile additional hours on them and destroy their work life balance. Hitachi, ISS and GWR should all be hanging their heads in shame and should pull back immediately.
"RMT has made it clear that we will be stepping up the fight against the scourge of outsourcing on our railways which is highlighted by the scandalous treatment of these ISS staff in West London.
"The union remains available for talks but no one should underestimate the resilience and determination of our ISS members."
Ends
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