Last Updated on 2 June 2026 by The Canary
Rail union RMT is demanding all Govia Thameslink Railway staff be brought into direct employment after the train company became the latest to be brought under public control.
The union has been campaigning for all elements of the railway to come into public ownership. And it has welcomed the commitment by the government to launch Great British Railways with track and train all nationalised.
However, private contractors will continue to employ thousands of workers. These include:
- Cleaners.
- Gate line staff.
- Security staff.
- Infrastructure maintenance, renewal and engineering workers.
This is despite the Labour government’s commitment to undertake the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
We want to see all our members on the railway receive the same benefits of public ownership and this includes outsourced workers.
The Labour government needs to follow through on its commitment to undertake a mass wave of insourcing.
Railway workers in outsourced companies work just as hard and contribute just as much to public transport as those directly employed.
Across our union, thousands of outsourced workers are growing increasingly frustrated at having poorer wages, no sick pay and being treated as if they are a second-class workforce.
RMT will industrially and politically maintain pressure on the government until it fulfils its obligations to our members.
Featured image via Getty Images
By The Canary
