Tube union RMT said today that it will fight tooth and nail plans unveiled by London Underground to shunt out waste collection services to the private sector as part of the “Transformation Programme” of creeping cuts and privatisation being overseen by Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan.

RMT has been told that as well as an expected torrent of job cuts Tranformation will also involve privatising bin collection and transportation in the outer area from Zone 3 – flying in the face of assurances from Mayor Khan that there would be no extension of privatisation on his watch as London Mayor.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“It is frankly disgraceful that not only do we have a Labour Mayor gearing up to make Tory cuts under the cloak of the Transformation Programme but on his watch LU top brass are embracing Thatcherite privatisation models as a way of hacking back costs.

“RMT has no intention of standing back while LU services are hacked back, carved up and handed over to greedy private companies who only cut costs by slashing pay, jobs and working conditions.

“Our executive will be considering a report on the whole Transformation attack, the preparation for a ballot is underway and we will be taking this fight direct to the London Mayor and City Hall. He should instruct his officials to scrap the “Transformation” cuts and privatisation plans with immediate effect.”