The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) applauded the move, saying it
was in “stark contrast” to the government’s plans to force unions to
provide minimum levels of service during industrial action.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, announced that approximately 5,800 of the
lowest-paid transport workers would receive free travel across the TfL
network.
“This is another step in the right direction by the mayor of London,” said
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, “and we’re calling on him to extend it to
all TfL subcontracted workers.
Sadiq Khan’s welcome action contrasts sharply with the Tories, who earlier
this week forced legislation through the House of Commons removing these
workers’ right to strike.
Rather than attacking cleaners, the Conservatives should follow the
Mayor’s lead and ensure that all rail cleaners have free travel.
However, the Mayor must do more as well. When elected, Labour has pledged
to oversee the largest wave of public-sector outsourcing in a generation.
“Now that London’s mayor is in office, we’ll ramp up our campaign for Sadiq
to address the scourge of outsourcing in TfL, beginning with bringing
London’s Underground cleaners in-house.”