Cleaners servicing Virgin trains for Alstom West Coast Traincare Carlisle Group contract will begin the first of two 24 hour strikes at 8pm this evening (27 November) in a fight over pay and conditions of service. A second 24 hour strike will begin at 8pm on Sunday (30 November).

The strike action will affect trains along the West Coast Main Line route throughout the weekend and in to early next week.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:

“This strike is all about the fight against poverty pay and for dignity and respect at work for the cleaners who toil through the night to maintain the Virgin trains on the prestigious West Coast route.

“Carlisle Group have offered these workers nothing this year despite the fact that the company is highly profitable and that there’s plenty of cash in the coffers for the directors and shareholders.

“This is a fight for justice and this brave group of workers deserve the full support of the travelling public in their battle for a living wage.”