Striking cleaners take fight to GWR

Striking cleaners protested outside Great Western Railway HQ in Swindon yesterday, in a bid to end a dispute they have with a contractor. 

Over 100 RMT members held banners and shouted “fair pay now,” accusing Servest UK of bullying and undervaluing staff.

Union rep Sharon Petrie said: “This dispute is about how they treat us. We don’t get anything for holidays and we don’t get sick pay.”

Pointing out that she works on GWR services, Ms Petrie said the train operator must sort out the issues.

She added: “We work for them, we look like them and so we should be treated like other Great Western staff.”

RMT National Executive member, Eddie Dempsey addressed workers before the action, saying: “Great Western have ignored us and so we are here to talk to them.

“We want a director to come down here and talk to us, hear our demands and accept our petition.”

Union officials were granted a meeting and will be contacting the company in due course to discuss the dispute.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dempsey added: “Some of the members aren’t given proper gloves to toilets with. GWR has to take these workers in-house and give them proper terms and conditions.”