“Interserve cleaning staff to vote on strike action amid union complaint of ‘culture of fear’ at Network Rail station", 26 March 2019

Interserve cleaning staff at Network Rail stations are preparing to vote on strike action after the firm allegedly imposed a “culture of fear,” according to the RMT union.

The rail union said this morning it would ballot around 300 facilities management workers for strike action after it received complaints of bullying from its members.

Staff at stations from the Midlands to the south coast will vote on the action amid claims of “bullying and harassment” from management, as well as “victimisation” of union representatives. The outsourcer has disputed the claims.

Interserve management has also allegedly refused RMT access to its work places at several locations “in an attempt to stop union representatives from carrying out their basic trade union functions.”

But Interserve strongly rebuffed the claims.

A spokesperson said: “RMT has offered no evidence to substantiate the sweeping allegations made and has refused to engage in dialogue with Interserve despite repeated attempts inviting it to do so.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees is of the highest priority to us and we have comprehensive policies and procedures in place to safeguard this."

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “There is a culture of fear and bullying rife within Interserve and it has got to stop.