Because of the lift that cleaners need to get the rubbish out of the station currently being refurbished, and there only ever being a maximum of two cleaners on shift, this is the level of rubbish accumulated at Wembley Park over the course of approximately three hours in the station.
Cleaners have to walk every single bag down the stairs to the bins, then walk back up. They can only manage two bags at a time.
This is typical of the level of support Mitie cleaners are getting: zero.
Chronic under-staffing is an increasing problem for cleaners across the network. The baseline staffing level is already too low, and absences and vacancies aren't covered, leading to even worse problems. RMT reps are challenging the issue with Mitie directly. Reps within LUL need to raise the issue too; a lack of adequate cleaning provision is a safety risk for directly-employed staff and passengers, as well as a problem for cleaners themselves.
Above: Wembley Park station concourse with numerous clear plastic bags of rubbish lined along the wall beneath Metropolitan and Jubilee line signage. A yellow “Wet Floor” warning sign stands nearby.
Comments?We welcome replies, corrections and debate pieces. Contact us