On 26 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 facing a series of invented or exaggerated charges. 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. We need to keep up the pressure to make sure Initial do not go on to discipline her.