A RAIL privateer was accused yesterday of trying to force Leeds workers to scab, pressing them do the jobs of striking colleagues in London.

Contractor ISS provides cleaning services on East Coast Main Line trains operated by Virgin East Coast.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members working for ISS at London’s King’s Cross station are to strike tomorrow over grievances that include unpaid wages, job losses and the enforced use of dangerous equipment.

As reported in the Morning Star last week, staff shortages are so severe that water tanks on trains are not being refilled, leaving intercity trains without working toilets.

RMT says that ISS staff at Leeds station are being put under pressure by bosses, accusing the company of “a campaign of bullying, harassment and intimidation as they try to force staff from outside of London to scab.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The vicious attacks by ISS on key staff preparing Virgin trains at the world-famous King’s Cross station are a disgrace and stain on the reputation of this city and its transport services and must end.

“The fact that the company is now trying to bully and intimidate staff miles up the line into undermining their colleagues’ action frankly stinks and those disgraceful antics must stop.

“Not only are RMT members being battered through a series of attacks on their pay and working conditions but passengers, paying eye-watering fares, are being hit as well as the cuts impact on the quality of service right down to the level of taking toilets out of service on these long-haul routes.”

He said ISS’s treatment of staff was a “scandal” and called on Virgin East Coast to take action against the contractor.

“Our members will be striking in a brave and unified battle against this global outsourcing giant and they deserve the support of the wider trade union movement in this fight and RMT is in no doubt that the travelling public will be on our side as well,” Mr Cash said.

“The union remains available for serious talks.”

A spokeswoman for ISS said: “We can state that ISS is working with the RMT trade union to resolve the local issues at King’s Cross. A further working session is organised for [today]March 9 where we hope resolution of these matters can be remedied to the satisfaction of all parties. 

“Should the RMT decide to still proceed with the local strike action then ISS must do all it can to protect the delivery of our service to our client and their customers. 

“As such we seek volunteers from within our business who have the necessary skills and training to safely undertake the work to ensure continuity of service.