London Underground cleaners stage two-day strike
Source: The Guardian
London Underground cleaners have begun a two-day strike in protest at being paid below the capital's living wage.
The staff cleaners are also paid well below the rate offered to agency cleaners brought in as cover for the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day action.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union issued a message appealing to agency workers not to break its members' strike which was posted in English, Polish and Russian. The RMT said its members, on £8.30 an hour rather than the £8.55 an hour estimated as the London living wage, should be on £12.50 an hour.
A leaflet distributed at stations by the striking workers explained their action: "We will not tolerate low pay in this day and age, nor being treated like second-rate people.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/31/london-underground-cleaners-strike
starroute
(12,977 posts)And the £12.50 they want is equivalent to US $20.32.
So how badly screwed are American workers by comparison?
PaulaFarrell
(1,236 posts)But it doesn't reflect the cost of living - for example my daughter pays about £750 a month to share a flat in London. Apprx £1200 per month less taxes less rent does not leave a lot left over - it's called a 'living wage' because anyhting less and you won't be able to afford food and essentials. On the plus side health care is free.
JCMach1
(27,559 posts)Guess you get what you pay for.
Nihil
(13,508 posts)... should be amusing to see how much attention (never mind "sympathy" they get
from the people who have to travel on those wastebins every day ...
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)So doubt if I'd notice.
JCMach1
(27,559 posts)European city you are in even when you close your eyes on the metro.