Industrial news in brief

Submitted by AWL on 18 September, 2013 - 1:45

Tube workers have returned a 98% vote in favour of industrial action against the introduction of biometric fingerprinting in their workplaces.

Cleaners employed by ISS are now expected to sign in and out of work using biometric thumb-print machines. Their union, RMT, has called the introduction of the machines “a draconian attack on civil liberties”. Tube bosses and cleaning contractors have a history of colluding to use cleaners’ often precarious immigration statuses to intimidate workers and undermine union organisation; there are fears that the introduction of biometric booking on will increase their ability to do so.

The action, a boycott of the machines, will begin on Thursday 19 September.

ISS cleaners on East Coast Mainline also struck on Monday 16 September to win living wages. The RMT said: “ISS Ltd. is loaded with cash. Even after deducting for its liabilities, it had total assets of over £129 million. The directors also continue to be highly rewarded.

“As a group they received £2.265 million in remuneration, up from £2.115 million the year before — a rise of over 7%. And the highest paid director alone received £620,000.”

Strike vote in Lambeth libraries

Unison members working in libraries in Lambeth, south London, have voted unanimously to strike against proposed cuts to jobs and services.

The consultative ballot, which had a 73% turnout, was called in response to proposals from Lambeth Council to cut library services to the lowest levels in London.

Unison can now move to a formal ballot.

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