Govia Thameslink Railway was renationalised at 02.00 yesterday morning, and the RMT has accompanied the reform by calling for all railway staff to be employed in-house.
The union has been running a campaign to end ‘outsourcing’, when staff such as cleaners are employed by a third-party contractor.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ’We want to see all our members on the railway receive the same benefits of public ownership and this includes outsourced workers.
‘The Labour government needs to follow through on its commitment to undertake a mass wave of insourcing.
‘Railway workers in outsourced companies work just as hard and contribute just as much to public transport as those directly employed.
’Across our union, thousands of outsourced workers are growing increasingly frustrated at having poorer wages, no sick pay and being treated as if they are a second-class workforce.
’RMT will industrially and politically maintain pressure on the government until it fulfils its obligations to our members.’
What do you think? Click here to let us know.