Cleaners Give Biometrics The Finger!

Posted in Tubeworker's blog on ,

Since Monday 7 July, cleaners in the RMT have been taking industrial action by refusing to touch biometric booking on machines. The machines are an insult to cleaners' dignity; ISS has admitted it will share data with the Home Office to be used as an immigration tool.

ISS has "locked out" cleaners who have refused to touch the machines. Cleaners are saying they are willing to work; they just don't want to hand over unique data to an untrustworthy employer. But ISS is sending cleaners home without pay.

So it's vital that LU workers hurt ISS for locking cleaners out: station staff raise jobs, drivers take trains out of service. We can hurt ISS financially if dirt piles up because ISS has sent its cleaners packing.

ISS has had to draft agency cleaners in. This appears to be helping ISS get around its "lock out"; but it is also costing ISS. The next few days will be crucial as to whether this fight develops into a force that can defeat biometrics.

  • RMT should agree to make payments to "locked out" cleaners. ISS knows it cannot discipline cleaners for taking the action. ISS's only potential punishment is withdrawing pay, so a payment from RMT would undermine ISS's main weapon against cleaners. We understand this is already underway. It needs to happen ASAP and be publicised widely amongst cleaners.
  • Keep the pressure on: Drivers, station staff, members of all grades and union officials have mobilised in recent days, with protests and workplace visits. This needs to keep going, just in case some cleaners lose heart and feel it's going nowhere. We need the action to mushroom, not dwindle.
  • Build support from LU staff: Cleaners are putting themselves on the line. As one cleaner commented, "we don't want to feel like sacrificial lambs". As well as LU staff putting out jobs, there is also potential to make this into a dispute with LU. Why has LU let this technology onto its premises? Does LU intend to extend this technology to all workers? An injury to one is an injury to all; if LU staff let ISS (with LU backing) get away with this, then we are all more vulnerable.
  • It's also worth considering whether another ballot for strike action and action short of strike might help the campaign. Some cleaners are worried that the legal protection for cleaners taking industrial action expires after 12 weeks; the fear is that ISS might start to pick off individuals who are taking action.

    But of course, the best way to protect those taking action is to build the solidarity. If the majority of cleaners are taking the same stand, it will be harder for ISS to pick off individuals. ISS can't sack its whole workforce without causing itself massive problems. Solidarity wins!

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