TUBE UNION RMT ‎today welcomed the news that tube cleaners in the front-line of the fight to contain the Coronavirus on London Underground are to get full sick pay after a campaign of union pressure.

General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"The union has been demanding that all privatised staff on the transport network get full sick pay in light of the Coronavirus outbreak and the news that tube cleaners working for ABM are to get just that is a welcome breakthrough others must now follow.

"Transport workers in all grades are being exposed to high levels of social contact across the board and the idea that any of these essential staff should be financially penalised if they are forced to self-isolate remains a scandal. They cannot opt to work from home and they come into contact with a damn site more people than you encounter on a visit to the pub. Transport bosses and the Government must recognise that fact.

"RMT wants all these services brought in house but the very least that should happen in the interim is that these key staff are fully protected both financially and in the workplace ‎at this time."