WORKING CONDITIONS OF LONDON UNDERGROUND CLEANERS

That this House is grateful to the 3,000 cleaners who keep the capital's underground network clear of obstructions and in a hygienic condition; is concerned that, despite working in dirty and hazardous conditions, frequently through the night time and other unsocial hours, these hard working and often vulnerable public servants only receive the bare minimum statutory sick pay, pensions and holiday entitlement; is further concerned by the decision of the new outsourced Tube cleaning contractor ABM to make employment conditions even worse by introducing an inferior sick pay scheme; believes that such a high profile, world famous public service as the London Underground should be leading the way in providing decent working conditions for all its staff instead of exploiting vulnerable workers; calls for Transport for London to take all necessary steps in ensuring Tube cleaners are treated the same as other Tube staff in respect of their basic working conditions; and further calls for this outsourced cleaning work to be returned in-house as soon as practicable, so that Tube cleaning is part of the public sector alongside the rest of the London Underground.