Urgent support needed for sub-contracted track maintenance workers on the Tube

London Underground employs hundreds of essential track workers on London’s iconic tube network through private contractors. These workers should be directly employed by London Underground, like other Tube maintenance workers, but instead London Underground has sub-contracted them through private companies who seek to make a profit from the contracts, meaning that the workers pay is kept low and they don’t get proper sick pay, pensions or holiday.
Responding to a recent survey, 75% of these workers told RMT that they struggle to make ends meet, meaning that they sit by the phone waiting for work and feel obliged to accept any offers they get. The precariousness of their employment also means that they feel under pressure not to do anything that may jeopardise future work. Two thirds reported to us that they would be worried about reporting safety concerns for this reason. The private companies have made profits in excess of £30 million in the last five years.
Now London Underground is re-tendering this work and will sign new contracts in March this year. RMT is concerned that it is looking to award to the cheapest bidder, which will lead to cuts in pay and hours for these workers.
RMT is calling on the Mayor and the TfL Commissioner to bring these workers into direct employment with London Underground and, in the immediate term, confirm that there will be no detriment to staff and that all earnings and hours will be protected as part of the tendering. There must be no race to the bottom on the Tube.