THE lowest-paid workers on Britain’s railways began a two-day strike today to win £15 an hour.

RMT members at Bidvest Noonan, an outsourced cleaning contractor to Alstom Northern Trains and TransPennine Express at bases in Glasgow and Manchester, will move to action short of strike from tomorrow, refusing to undertake biologically hazardous cleaning.

The cleaners threatened strike action last year before winning the real living wage. But as the the cost-of-greed crisis continues to hit working-class pockets, they have once more felt the need to challenge the profitable outsourcing giant to pay them their share.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “It is always a major step to take strike action when you are trying to agree a negotiated settlement. But for some of the lowest-paid workers on the railway network, it is even more of a sacrifice.

“Bidvest Noonan need to understand that our determination and support for our members will continue for as long as it takes to reach a deal.”

The firm was contacted for comment.