London Underground catering staff struck on 4 August, demanding reinstatement for victimised union rep Petrit Mihaj.
Petrit, who has been central to Tube union RMT’s organisation and recognition campaign amongst Sodexho canteen staff, has been vindicated by an Employment Tribunal ruling that his sacking was unfair and based on his trade union activities. Despite this, Sodexho has refused to reinstate him.
The solid strike, which took place from 6.30 to 11.00am, often the busiest time for the Sodexho-run staff canteens at depots, saw picket lines and demonstrations in several locations.
On Monday 11 August, RMT began a campaign of demonstrations targeting Sodexho’s headquarters. The company, which has dozens of public contracts in education, healthcare, prisons, and elsewhere, is also notorious for its racist treatment of black and ethnic minority employees, paying out millions in a 2005 law suit after it was revealed to have systematically denied promotion to black workers in the USA.
