Pay And Conditions Of Cleaners On London Underground

EDM number 1696 in 2008-09, proposed by John McDonnell on 17/06/2009.
Categorised under the topics of Employment and Railways.

That this House believes that the low pay and appalling working conditions of cleaners working on London Underground have no place on a modern transport network, particularly one which will be the focus of the world during the 2012 Olympics; commends the campaign of Rail, Maritime and Transport members which has ensured that all but one of the contractors now pays the 2008 London Living Wage of £7.45 per hour; condemns ISS Tube Lines for breaking a commitment that rates of pay would increase to this level; notes the Mayor of London's embrace of a London living wage and calls on him immediately to intervene to address this anomaly especially as he has now endorsed an increased London living wage of £7.60 per hour; is shocked at the degrading conditions endured where men and women change together in cramped rooms and neither London Underground nor cleaning contractors will provide mess rooms for cleaners in which to eat food during their rest break or wash their hands, while they must clean up vomit and blood; further notes that many cleaning contractors have dismissed long-standing employees because of alleged invalid immigration status; calls for an amnesty for immigrants who have worked for many years in London and contributed to the economy; and therefore demands urgent remedial action from the Mayor as Chair of Transport for London to improve cleaners' working conditions.

This motion has been signed by a total of 31 MPs.