Striking RMT cleaners occupy ITV offices demanding coverage

RMT members working for cleaning company ISS noisily occupied ITV offices to demand coverage for their strike action.

The striking cleaners held a protest today at Kings Cross station as part of their strike action in support of the Living Wage. According to the union:

“RMT has been campaigning for the ISS cleaners on the East Coast to receive the Living Wage and for improvements to their working conditions and pensions that match the important job they do maintaining the environment on the busy, high profile East Coast Mainline.

 However, despite efforts by RMT to force the issue, including rounds of previous rock-solid action, the company remain entrenched and have chosen to adopt an aggressively hostile attitude that has led to this weekend’s action.”

NSSN supporters join striking ISS workers on the picket line outside Kings Cross.
NSSN supporters join striking ISS workers on the picket line outside Kings Cross.

Also present on the picket line in support were RMT General Secretary Bob Crow, Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley, President Peter Pinkney and London Regional Secretary John Reid. NSSN Chair Rob Williams addressed the protest with a message of solidarity.

The protest then marched to the nearby offices of ITV. A request was made for ITV to send down a reporter to interview the strikers.

Marching
Strikers march to ITV offices.

When no reporter emerged from the building to speak to RMT members the strikers then occupied the building and held an noisy protest.

Strikers occupy ITV offices
Strikers occupy ITV offices

Faced with the determination of the strikers to be heard, ITV eventually relented and sent a camera and reporter to interview the pickets.

ITV interview RMT Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley
ITV interview RMT Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley

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