RMT welcomes cross-party support for Mitie motion

RMT welcomes cross-party support for Mitie motion

3 September 2019

RMT Press Office:

RMT welcomes cross-party support for motion in Scottish Parliament calling on Mitie to pay cleaners a Real Living Wage at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central

RAIL UNION RMT has welcomed the news that MSPs from across Scotland’s political parties are supporting a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on outsourcing firm Mitie to pay the Real Living Wage to cleaners who work at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central stations.

The motion, tabled by Elaine Smith MSP, follows protests from cleaners at both stations recently and a petition which has secured more than 60,000 signatures.

Mitie was awarded the cleaning contract by Network Rail, which runs the stations at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. The company has paid out nearly £49 million to its shareholders in dividends in the last five years but refuses to pay its cleaners the Real Living Wage. Some 50% of respondents to a recent RMT survey of Mitie workers said they struggled to make ends meet.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has encouraged businesses in Scotland including those delivery public contracts to move toward paying the Real Living Wage:

“I would encourage businesses and organisations to recognise the benefits of the Real Living Wage which is not only helping to ensure people’s basic pay meets the cost of living but is increasing staff retention, productivity and boosting morale in the workplace,” she said.

General Secretary, Mick Cash said:

“RMT’s campaign demanding a Real Living Wage for Mitie cleaners is gaining momentum in Scotland with political and public support now rolling in.

“We welcome the motion in the Scottish Parliament tabled by Elaine Smith MSP. The fact that it has quickly gained support from MSP’s from across the political parties is a real boost to our campaign.

“In addition to this political support, the strength of support from the public can be seen by the fact we now have over 60,000 signatures on the petition in support of this fight for pay and workplace justice.

“It is a scandal that the staff employed by outsourcing giant Mitie who clean stations for Network Rail, doing some of the dirtiest work in the rail industry at all hours of the night and day, are struggling to make ends meet on poverty pay.  It is time for Mitie and Network Rail to end this disgraceful exploitation and take urgent action. “

 

Ends

 

 

Notes to Editors

The motion can be found here http://bit.ly/2jYixko

The petition can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pay-the-living-wage-to-mitie-cleaners-now

Pay the Living Wage to Mitie Cleaners NOW

Make sure the Mitie Group ensures that the people who clean stations for Network Rail - who do some of the dirtiest work in the rail industry - are paid the Real Living Wage. No More Delays - Pay the living wage to Mitie cleaners NOW.

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Tagged with: mitie, justice for cleaners, real living wage, network rail