25 November 2014
RMT Press Office
Rail workers from across the country will join a lobby of Parliament on 26th November 2014 to oppose the exploitation of workers through the use of umbrella companies, and also to highlight the safety concerns of those working alongside an increasingly casualised contractor workforce.
The day will include a demonstration in Old Palace Yard opposite Parliament starting at 10.45 – 12.00 noonafter which workers will go into the Houses of Parliament for a lobby and rally at 12.45pm – 2.00pm in Committee Room 14
Speakers at the rally include:
Mick Cash - RMT General Secretary
Steve Murphy - UCATT General Secretary
Gail Cartmail - Unite assistant general secretary
Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Jim Sheridan MP and Steve Rotheram MP (chair)
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“This is a joint rally with our colleagues in UCATT and Unite who both organise in the construction industry and who are up against many of the companies we encounter working on the rail network.
“This is an important opportunity for rail workers to raise their concerns in Parliament and also to show the firms using umbrella companies that the trade union movement is united in opposition to this super exploitation.
“RMT has repeatedly pointed out that casualisation and exploitation on the rail network is diluting the safety culture. Fatigue, zero-hours contracts and the pay-roll rip off are massive issues for RMT members that we intend to raise with MP’s on Wednesday.”
ENDS