1. New strike dates named
2. Action puts ‘Boris’ under pressure
3. Come to Reading and Leeds to help raise money
4. Meeting to oppose victimisation of activists

From the Facebook group in support of the Cleaners strike:

1. New strike dates named

The RMT executive has named dates for a second, three-day round of strikes. These will take place between 5.30am on Thursday 21 and 5.30am on Saturday 23 August.
(TGWU-Unite, the other union that organises Tube cleaners, is still balloting; more on this when we have it.)
Stand by for information about solidarity work during the strikes.

2. Action puts ‘Boris’ under pressure

At Mayor’s Question Time on 16 July, Boris Johnson found himself disrupted by activists from socialist feminist group Feminist Fightback, demanding a living wage and dignity at work for the cleaners. In response, he claimed that cleaners employed by Metronet, which he now controls, would be paid the London living wage of £7.45 “by August at the latest”.
This shows that pressure – industrial action combined with solidarity – bring results. However:
- A subsequent statement from the mayor suggests that only some Metronet employees will receive the rise immediately;
- What about the other cleaners?
- A better wage is not the only demand of the strike;
- We cannot believe anything this Tory reactionary says!
We need to keep up the pressure!

3. Fancy coming to Reading and Leeds to help raise money for the cleaners?

Workers on the bars at Glastonbury raised hundreds of pounds for the strike fund through tips and through doing collections while not working. Members of various teams doing ‘Workers’ Beer’ at Reading and Leeds are planning to do this again – there are a few places spare, so why not come and help us?
The festivals take place 22-24 August; there is free transport from London and other cities; you get in free and work six hours day; there is also a special campsite and subsidised food and drink for workers.
If you’d like to come and work, email kathandthemonkey@hotmail.co.uk explaining who you are asap.

4. Public meeting to defend victimised strikers – TONIGHT (Wednesday 30 July)

Support the cleaners’ strike – defend workers’ at Stonebridge
A public meeting called by Brent Trades Councill
7.30pm, Wednesday 30 July
The Community Suite, Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre
Brentfield, Harrow Road, London NW10
Speakers:
Clara Osagiede, chair of the RMT cleaners’ grade; Oliver New, RMT exec
and Ealing Trades Council; Dawn Butler MP (invited)
The RMT rep and another activist at Stonebridge depot in NW London are having their pay withheld. The cleaning companies are using the vulnerable immigration status of many cleaners to victimise them for speaking out and organising. Come and build support for the comrades in the run up to the next strike.

For more information ring Robin on 07974 331 053

More information on the strike at
http://www.rmtplatform.org.uk (official RMT Tube station workers’ website)
http://www.workersliberty.org/twblog (rank-and-file bulletin produced by WL and other socialists on the Tube)