TfL outsourcing cleaners sparks RMT protest over Mitie deal

TfL outsourcing cleaners has drawn fresh criticism, with the RMT union set to demonstrate outside Transport for London’s board meeting at City Hall while it pushes for cleaners on the network to be brought in-house, as reported by the BBC.

RMT protest outside TfL board meeting at City Hall

The protest is scheduled for 4 February. It follows TfL’s decision to award a new five-year cleaning contract to Mitie, an outsourcing company that will handle a broad set of services across the network and City Hall, according to a Transport for London press release.

RMT says the move keeps outsourcing in place and is urging London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to terminate Mitie’s contract. The union is also calling for City Hall to publish an urgent plan to bring all TfL cleaners in-house, as outlined by the RMT press office.

What the Mitie five-year cleaning contract covers?

Under the deal, Mitie will be responsible for cleaning trains and Tube and bus stations, as well as TfL head office buildings. The contract also includes waste collection at City Hall, alongside tasks such as pest control and graffiti removal.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Cleaning on the TfL network had previously been outsourced to AMB UK from 2017, before TfL moved to the new agreement with Mitie.

TfL insourcing cleaners pilot and “corporate capture” claims

TfL says the agreement includes a pilot to assess whether cleaning and facilities can be brought in-house in an efficient and affordable way over the longer term. Sir Sadiq Khan welcomed that commitment, saying he was “delighted” TfL had set out a comprehensive pilot exploring how affordable cleaning services could be delivered in-house — something he said he has long supported where possible.

Don’t miss…TGV child-free carriage sparks backlash over new Optimum class

RMT argues the outsourcing of cleaning forms part of a wider pattern of “corporate capture” at TfL. The union is calling on the London Assembly to launch a formal inquiry into the extent of corporate influence on City Hall. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the mayor “is allowing TfL to be captured by private corporations operating beyond democratic control”, adding that handing cleaners to Mitie for another five years while claiming to support insourcing shows how limited that commitment is at present.

TfL said the new contract has a strong focus on staff welfare, including fair pay, progression and secure working hours.

A TfL spokesperson said the organisation does not currently specialise in cleaning, facilities management and associated services, and that the pilot is intended to build internal expertise while assessing the benefits that insourcing could deliver. TfL said it would work through the detail of the pilot and provide more information in due course.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: