On 26th May, London Underground cleaners' rep, Clara Osagiede, beat back Initial Cleaning Services' attempt to victimise her for enforcing standards of safety for cleaners at her workplace, her role as a health and safety rep.
She stood up to management when a group of cleaners were removing graffiti from trains without appropriate equipment or training. A few days later, she was suspended from work.
She went into her disciplinary hearing on 26th May, facing a series of invented or exaggerated charges. Alongside her rep, she argued that it would be unfair for the disciplinary to proceed while she had a number of grievances against the company which had never been dealt with. Many of these charges would not have reached a disciplinary if the company had dealt with them in the appropriate way. Management agreed to suspend the disciplinary until the grievances are heard.
This is a temporary stay of execution. Without representation and a protest of support outside, Initial Cleaning Services would undoubtedly have pressed ahead in trying to remove her from her job. But we need to keep up the pressure to make sure Initial do not go on to discipline her. We also need to campaign for standards in every train depot so no cleaner's health is put at risk.
