I’m pleased to have added my voice to the campaign for better terms and conditions for Merseyrail cleaners. After years of performing this essential service, especially during the pandemic, it is disgraceful to see their station cleaning contracts outsourced to Mitie, who refuse to pay the real living wage to their staff. Train cleaning contracts with Stadler, who are threatening to fire and rehire staff on worse contracts, has resulted in staff balloting for strike action.

Last March Merseyside paid shareholders a £3 million dividend, which as the letter states would cover the staff’s pay claims several times over.

We are calling on Merseyrail to step in now to resolve these disputes and for the station cleaners’ contracts to be brought in house when Mitie’s contract runs out in January 2022. The job they do is invaluable, but seems not to be valued by their employers. This has got to change.