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TRANSPORT union RMT has hailed a move to give hundreds of Transport for London (TfL) cleaners free travel across the capital after years of campaigning.
London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan finally bowed to pressure on Thursday and said free bus, rail and tram trips would be extended to 800 subcontracted cleaners from April 1.
The union had already won free travel for about 5,000 subcontracted cleaners, so nearly 6,000 workers are now set to benefit.
“The cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of improving, and I want to do everything I can to support those in lower paying jobs who are being hit hardest,” said Mr Khan.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch praised the latest extension, which will bring Crossrail and London Overground staff into the scheme, saying it is “another step in the right direction.”
But he urged the mayor to now extend the right to all subcontracted workers across the network.
Referring to the Tory government’s widely condemned Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, Mr Lynch said: “Sadiq Khan’s welcome action stands in stark contrast to the Tories who earlier in the week forced legislation through the Commons that would remove these workers’ right to strike.
“Instead of attacking cleaners, the Tories should be following the mayor’s lead and ensuring all rail cleaners have free travel.”
But he said the former Tooting MP “needs to do more too.”
“Labour nationally has committed to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing of public services for a generation when it’s elected,” Mr Lynch said.
“[Mr Khan] is already in power, so we’ll be stepping up our campaign for Sadiq to tackle the scourge of outsourcing in TfL, starting by bringing London’s Underground cleaners in-house.”