DISGRUNTLED cleaners descended on the headquarters of the Great Western Railway yesterday to voice their concerns over working conditions.

The strike, organised by transport union RMT in support of Servest cleaning staff, saw workers from all over the south turn out to demand action from railway chiefs.

The RMT claims cleaning workers are routinely subjected to bullying, discrimination and terrible working conditions through the GWR’s train cleaning contract with Servest UK.

Eddie Dempsey, the RMT’s national executive representative for South Wales and the west, said: “They won’t come to us, so we have come here to try to talk to them.

“We are not here to cause a row. We are here simply to ask GWR bosses to hear what the cleaners have to say.

“All these people want is to be treated with respect and to receive the same rights that other GWR staff receive.

“They shouldn’t be treated as second class employees.”

The dispute surrounds alleged pay disparity with GWR Staff, annual leave rights, the provision of safety clothing and an agreement for a permanent workforce and an end to the use of agency workers.

Outside the GWR’s Milford Street head office, one striking worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We want fair pay. Everything is really bad at the moment, I hope they listen to our concerns.

“We are paid peanuts and we don’t get proper sick benefits, it’s outrageous.”

A spokesman for Servest said: “Servest has a good record of positive engagement with our employees. We appreciate and value our team and encourage an open dialogue with each and every member of staff.

“Servest is currently in talks with The Railway Maritime and Transport Union and we hope to work together in order to resolve the contractual issues.

“Until we have more facts as a result of the ongoing discussions, Servest does not plan to make any further comment.”