Feminist Fightback action to support Tube cleaners’ strike

Feminist Fightback direct action to support the cleaners on Friday 27th June - please join us

Starting at 18.00pm on Thursday 26th June RMT Underground cleaners will be striking for 24 hours. They are demanding:

- Wage of £7.20 per hour, the minimum London living wage as determined by the GLA last year
- Full sick pay
- Final Salary Pensions
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (some cleaners only get 2 weeks at the moment)
- Free travel
- An end to third party sackings - this practice means that cleaners can be dismissed with no disciplinary hearing or right of appeal at the order of parties other than the employer

Around 700 cleaners will be on strike after there was a 99% yes vote on a 40% turn out. These workers are hugely exploited, mainly migrant, largely illegal, organising alongside their relatively better off colleagues to fight against the bosses. This is a huge deal.

Contractors may bring in agency workers to undermine the strike. To support the strike pickets will be organised across the city.

* Feminist Fightback activists will be at the picket at Stratford station from 6am to 7am on Friday 27th

*****Following the picket there will be some theatrical direct action in central London from 9am to 10am. If you’d like to take part, please ring 07971 719 797 or email rebecca.galbraith@yahoo.o.uk ******

Other things to do
- Write to TFL
- Phone ins and letters to media
- If you are in London then spill rubbish in the stations and get them closed down

For details about the direct action or for directions on the day call Rebecca (07971719797) or Laura ( 07890209479)

Please forward this information on and join us!

Aled Dilwyn Fisher’s new blog

For the blog run by ENS steering member and LSESU General Secretary Aled Dilwyn Fisher, see http://aleddilwynfisher.wordpress.com

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