12 April 2016
RMT Press Office:
RMT strikes again at Kings Cross this week in fight with ISS on Virgin East Coast contract.
RAIL UNION RMT today accused global facilities giant ISS of a failing to take staff concerns seriously and has confirmed that a further 24 hour strike will kick off on the Virgin East Coast contract at Kings Cross on Thursday.
RMT has also demanded that Virgin, who hold the East Coast franchise, intervene with their contractors to end what the union describes as a “pay and conditions scandal at one of Europe’s busiest railway stations.”
RMT has been in dispute over a wide range of pay and conditions grievances and while there has been some limited movement in talks ISS refuse point-blank to address the core issues of the reduction in the number of staff Tanking (filling train up with water)resulting in trains going out with no water, with toilets being locked out of use, making a nonsense of the high fares that passengers fork out to travel on Virgin’s services.
As a result of the continued hard-line, union-busting attitude of ISS towards the workforce RMT has confirmed a further wave of strike action at Kings Cross from 2000 hours Thursday 14th April 2016 until 1959 hours Friday 15th April 2016 and is calling for demonstrations of support from across the trade union movement for this high-profile battle against a globalised, anti-union, out-sourcing outfit.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
“The continued attacks by ISS on key staff preparing Virgin trains at the world-famous Kings Cross station is a disgrace and stain on the reputation of this City and it’s transport services and must end. While pressure from our members and our reps has achieved some movement in talks it is nowhere near enough and we have no option but to take further strike action from Thursday.
“Not only are RMT members suffering through attacks on their working conditions but passengers, paying eye-watering fares, are being hit as well as the cuts impact on the quality of service right down to the level of taking toilets out of service on these long haul routes.
“The mistreatment of staff by ISS at Kings Cross is a scandal and Virgin East Coast cannot simply wash their hands of this disgraceful situation that has been allowed to develop on their watch. Our members will be striking in a brave and unified battle against this global out-sourcing giant and they deserve the support of the wider trade union movement in this fight and RMT is in no doubt that the travelling public will be on our side as well.
“The union remains available for serious talks.”
ends