Cleaners Strike FAQ

Key facts for RMT members • • •

All RMT members, regardless of grade, are covered by the industrial action ballot result at their company, this includes staff on their probation period.

You cannot be victimised or penalised by your employer for taking industrial action and it is completely legal for you to do so.

You do not have to tell your employer if you intend to take industrial action, even if they claim to you that it is a legal requirement to do so.

Below is a guide for RMT members on taking industrial action. If you have questions about the dispute which are not covered below you can email info@rmt.org.uk or call 0800 376 3706.

Who is taking industrial action?

All RMT members at • Atalian Servest (Alstom/Avanti West Coast) • Atalian Servest (Great Western Railway) • Atalian Servest (LNER Contract) • Bidvest Noonan (Northern Trains Contract) • Churchill (Network Rail High Speed Contract) • Churchill (GTR Contract) • Churchill (South East Trains Contract) • Churchill (Eurostar Contract) • Mitie (TPE Contract)

What does “going on strike” mean?

It means withdrawing your labour and not attending work. It is a legal and legitimate action in all companies where the members balloted having voted in favour of strike action. Even if your employer tells you that you are in breach of your contract for taking strike action, if you have been instructed to do so by your Union you are entitled to and cannot be victimised by your employer for doing so. Only RMT members are covered by these ballots.

What do I do if I am on strike?

All members in the above companies are instructed to take strike action by not booking on for shifts which commence between: 00:01 hours on Thursday 22nd December 2022 and 23:59 hours on Friday 23rd December 2022

and also between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Saturday 31st December 2022

What do I do if I am booked onto a shift which starts before the strike action commences but finishes during the strike?

You finish that shift.

Do I have to tell my employer if I am going on strike?

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOUR MANAGER THAT YOU ARE TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION. The union will inform the companies of the grade and workplaces of who we are calling to take action.

Can staff on their probation period take industrial action?

Yes – RMT members who are on their probation period were balloted and are covered by the vote at their company. If any employers tell probationers that they are not allowed to take industrial action, this is incorrect and you should inform your union rep.

Will there be picket lines during any strike action?

Yes – We will communicate the locations of these to members nearer the time.

Will I lose money if I take industrial action?

You will not get paid by your employer on any dates that you take industrial action. However, one of the key reasons we balloted members is employers have failed to give guarantees over pay. This is what is really causing members to lose out financially. The union is also looking at the issue of Hardship Payments for members taking industrial action.

If I take industrial action, can this be used against me by my employer in the future?

It is illegal for employers to victimise workers for taking industrial action.

My colleague joined the RMT after the ballot closed, can they still take part in industrial action?

Yes – as long as they are an RMT member by the time any industrial action is scheduled, they are able to take part in the action. If you have colleagues who are not yet RMT members, encourage them to join.

How can members avoid being targeted by companies for disciplinary action in relation to the use of social media?

Members are advised to be very cautious about what they post on social media that may be critical towards the company or any of its employees. Social media platforms are public forums, and we have examples of members being disciplined for comments they have made on the grounds of bringing the company into disrepute, irrelevant of how unfair or unjustified we believe those charges were.

How will I get updates about the dispute?

All updates, including the timetable for industrial action will be sent via text and email to members. Please ensure we have your correct contact details. If you want to update your contact details or have any other questions please email info@rmt.org.uk or call 0800 376 3706.