RMT win recognition for tube cleaners

The RMT transport union has won another recognition battle on behalf of cleaners on the London tube network — this time for around 70 employed by John Laing to work on the contract with tube firm London Overground.

Following the contractors’ refusal to enter into a voluntary agreement, the RMT took the case to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), which ordered a ballot. The employees voted overwhelmingly — by 87% to 13% — in favour of union recognition.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow praised the union’s organisers and activists for the campaign, which only began in March, and has already resulted in the cleaners winning back-pay owed, calling it “another major milestone.”