This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/berkshire/6239333.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Demo over Tube cleaner job cuts Demo over Tube cleaner job cuts
(about 5 hours later)
A protest has been held at City Hall over plans to axe hundreds of cleaning jobs on London Underground (LU). About 30 protesters have demonstrated at City Hall over plans to axe 200 cleaning jobs on London Underground.
Nearly 200 workers employed by Tube Lines contractor ISS face being laid off, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has warned.Nearly 200 workers employed by Tube Lines contractor ISS face being laid off, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has warned.
The RMT has called on LU and London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who said the company could not justify the job cuts, to step in and halt the planned losses. The RMT has called on London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who said the company could not justify the job cuts, to step in and halt the planned losses.
Tube Lines said it was "refocusing resources" for station cleaning.Tube Lines said it was "refocusing resources" for station cleaning.
Mr Livingstone has said LU maintenance firm Tube Lines has "no reason" to axe hundreds of cleaners' jobs as the company was profitable. Mr Livingstone has said London Underground (LU) maintenance firm Tube Lines has "no reason" to axe hundreds of cleaners' jobs as the company was profitable.
It is time for the mayor, Transport for London and London Underground to tell Tube Lines that it cannot impose this massive cut Bob Crow, RMT general secretaryIt is time for the mayor, Transport for London and London Underground to tell Tube Lines that it cannot impose this massive cut Bob Crow, RMT general secretary
"I do not see how they can maintain standards of cleanliness by cutting staff," he said."I do not see how they can maintain standards of cleanliness by cutting staff," he said.
"Given the profits that the infrastructure companies enjoy, there is no case for reducing these cleaning posts.""Given the profits that the infrastructure companies enjoy, there is no case for reducing these cleaning posts."
He said that under the terms of the public private partnership on the Tube, Tube Lines was responsible for cleanliness.
On Thursday, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said workers were "stunned and furious" when they were told their jobs may be axed.On Thursday, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said workers were "stunned and furious" when they were told their jobs may be axed.
'Innovative solutions''Innovative solutions'
He also said the union was originally led to believe 100 jobs would be cut but the figure has turned out to be double that.He also said the union was originally led to believe 100 jobs would be cut but the figure has turned out to be double that.
"RMT will use every means available to stop these job cuts, but it is time for the mayor, Transport for London and London Underground to tell Tube Lines that it cannot impose this massive cut," Mr Crow said."RMT will use every means available to stop these job cuts, but it is time for the mayor, Transport for London and London Underground to tell Tube Lines that it cannot impose this massive cut," Mr Crow said.
He said it would be impossible for levels of station and train cleanliness to be maintained on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines with a loss of 27% of the cleaning workforce.He said it would be impossible for levels of station and train cleanliness to be maintained on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines with a loss of 27% of the cleaning workforce.
A Tube Lines spokesman said the company was continuing to invest in "innovative solutions" to improve ambience, such as anti-graffiti film. A Tube Lines spokesman said the company was continuing to invest in "innovative solutions" to improve stations' appearance, such as anti-graffiti film.
"Through improved standards, better management and investment in cleaning tools, we believe we can now refocus our resources in terms of station cleaning," he said."Through improved standards, better management and investment in cleaning tools, we believe we can now refocus our resources in terms of station cleaning," he said.