RAIL union RMT has launched a campaign today to end outsourcing across the railway network, branding the practice as a vehicle for systemic racism, low pay and poor service standards.

Accompanied by a new report, the union has exposed the disproportionate impact of outsourcing on black and minority ethnic (BME) workers, who are often trapped in insecure, low-paid roles without pensions, training or pathways to career progression.

The research found that 58 per cent of outsourced cleaners and caterers are from BME backgrounds, despite BME workers making up just 25 per cent of directly employed train operator staff. 

The disparity is even sharper in London and south-east England, where up to 80 per cent of outsourced cleaners are BME — double the proportion of BME staff in directly employed roles.

The majority of outsourced workers — 82 per cent — said they wanted to build a career within the planned Great British Railways (GBR), but 77 per cent have never discussed promotion opportunities and 68 per cent have received no meaningful training in the past three years. 

Most workers — 83 per cent — are regularly performing unpaid duties like customer service and fault reporting, typically expected of directly employed staff.

An overwhelming 83 per cent of outsourced rail workers said passengers would benefit more if services were taken in-house and run directly by GBR.

The report also shows how private firms use outsourcing to create a two-tier workforce by stripping workers of sick pay, pensions and job security, while diverting profits to shareholders.

RMT is calling on the Labour government to deliver on its manifesto pledge to “oversee the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation.”

General secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Outsourcing is one of the most exploitative practices, enshrining dreadful employment conditions and low pay for workers.

“It is inefficient and wastes public money while company bosses and shareholders make obscene amounts of money, much of it leaving the country altogether.

“RMT will fight tooth and nail to see these workers brought in-house, so they can enjoy the benefits our other members have being directly employed.

“Labour has promised the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation. We intend to hold them to their promises and build on what they have started with GBR.”