MERSEYRAIL cleaners are set  to walk out for 48 hours from April 4 after rejecting a pay offer, their union RMT announced today.

The union says that despite attempts to negotiate, outsourcing firm Churchill Services, which employs the cleaners, has so far refused to put forward an acceptable offer. 

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Churchill must recognise that our members are some of the poorest paid in our industry and need a pay offer that lifts them out of poverty.

“The current offer falls well short of that modest demand and now we have to make the employer understand that our members are serious about securing a fair pay deal.

“It remains our view that these workers should be insourced immediately so they can receive the same terms and conditions as directly employed Merseyrail staff.”

RMT says it remains open to talks, but warned that it will escalate its industrial campaign if Churchill refuses to engage.