A NEW survey by RMT exposed the devastating impact of outsourcing on Tyne and Wear Metro cleaners today.

The survey of workers employed by Churchill, which holds cleaning contracts across the rail network, revealed poverty pay, lack of sick pay and increasing workloads are widespread.

Seventy per cent of those surveyed said they sometimes or regularly struggle to make ends meet, while 87 per cent said they were worried about not having enough to live on in retirement.

Sixty-seven per cent said they couldn’t afford to take time off if they’re sick, while 85 per cent admitted they had worked while sick. 

And 90 per cent of respondents said their workloads are increasing, while the same proportion said Churchill does not employ enough staff to do the job properly.

The firm boasts 22 per cent gross profit margins and paid out a £43.9 million dividend last year, RMT says.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Metro cleaners are being exploited by a private contractor that prioritises making huge profits over the interests of our people who keep transport clean in the region.

“We are in dispute with the company and are not ruling out calling for strike action if bosses do not start to treat cleaners properly.

“This is part of our national campaign to end outsourcing and we are calling on the North East Mayor to insource these workers as soon as practically possible.”

The union is calling on North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to end the outsourcing of Metro cleaning services immediately and insource once Churchill’s contract ends in 2026.

Ms McGuinness said: “I have written to Churchill’s Chief Operating Officer telling him the company must offer a fair pay deal to workers on the Metro.

“I don’t accept that a company making a big profit can claim that National Insurance increases or the impact of the minimum wage going up prevents them from doing the right thing for workers.”

A spokesperson for Nexus, the public body which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro said: “This is a dispute for Churchill Group to resolve through negotiations with the RMT Union and we look forward to that happening as soon as possible.

“Cleaning services on the Tyne and Wear Metro have been contracted out since the system was opened in 1980. This is to ensure that taxpayers get the best value for money."

Churchill has been contacted for comment.