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Metronet HQ occupied in London

Guido | 29.01.2009 16:20 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements

Metronet you may remember had to be bailed out by the government in 2007 when it very nearly went bust due. The obvious thing to do was to nationalise it. But back in those heady days Metronet was the flag bearer of Mr Brown's Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. So that would have seemed like admitting failure. So to this day Metronet is responsible for vast parts of the running of London Underground. Which also includes subcontracting the cleaning out to the less than humane ISS company. See:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/407016.html

So on Wednesday the RMT returned to Metronet with plenty of mops and buckets in the hope that they might clean up their act by getting a contractor that does not pay people the minimum wage while grassing up its employees to the immigration services. ISS are also finding all kinds of dubious excuses for sacking anyone who joins a trade union. The demo itself was loud and lively but nowhere near as surreal and eventful as their last visit. See:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/380456.html

The RMT come to Metronet.
The RMT come to Metronet.

And are joined by IWW, AWL & others.
And are joined by IWW, AWL & others.

They proceed to suggest that Metronet should clean up its act.
They proceed to suggest that Metronet should clean up its act.

The cops arrive...
The cops arrive...

...andjustify their presence with all manner of pettyness.
...andjustify their presence with all manner of pettyness.

After the Police leave the security guards notice something strange on the floor
After the Police leave the security guards notice something strange on the floor

So the cops get called again, though this time they fail to show.
So the cops get called again, though this time they fail to show.

So everyone leaves in their own time having made their point.
So everyone leaves in their own time having made their point.


The Police left shortly after the protest finished. At this point some of the activists returned to try and discuss the situation with Metronet management in person. Unfortunately noone was available for comment so the activists waited patiently in the lobby. They even sat on the floor so as to ensure that all available chairs were free for any official visitors that the company might have. The Police were called but declined to show up so eventually our plucky protesters called it a day promising to return at a later date to discuss employment rights with Metronet and their loathsome subcontractors.

It seems entirely possible that Metronet's 999 call coincided with happy hour in the local pubs. Bank robbers take note....

Guido
- e-mail: guidoreports@riseup.net