Poll of London Labour politicians finds overwhelming support to end privatisation of Tube cleaning in wake of COVID – 19 pandemic

In the week that London Mayor Sadiq Khan made a firm manifesto commitment to explore bringing the London Underground’s multi – million-pound cleaning contract in house, a new poll of London Labour councillors has found overwhelming support to end the privatisation of the tube cleaning when the current contract ends in 2022.

Reflecting the vital role the Tube’s thousands of cleaners have played in fighting COVID-19, a massive 98% of London Labour Councillors have said Transport for London should put an end to the outsourcing of London’s tube cleaning.  

Comments made by some of the councillors included.

“In these days of COVID-19 this would be a vital change and improvement to the service. It would ensure, for example, decent wages and proper accountability.”

“Direct provision and insourcing are the best way to ensure quality of staff and service”

“Insourcing can improve results and reduce costs if done right”.

“Outsourcing is a scourge and allows profits to be made off the backs of low paid workers. Better for workers and better for passengers if cleaning is delivered in house.”

The support for bringing tube cleaning in – house follows similar backing for the move from the London Labour Assembly group and candidates.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said,

“It is a welcome step that Sadiq Khan has used his manifesto to recognise the essential role tube cleaners have played fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowing what we do now of the vital public health importance of tube cleaning it would be frankly beyond belief if this essential service was again privatised next year, which is why today we can reveal there is overwhelming support among London Labour Councillors to bring tube cleaning in house.

There is now a growing coalition for our cleaners who recognised that if Sadiq Khan brings London Underground cleaning in – house he will not only improve safety on the tube, he will be sending a positive message throughout the UK that cleaners are and always have been key workers who are central to our safety and need to be properly valued and respected.”