The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) secured the victory for low paid workers on 7 July when it was confirmed that all tube cleaners would receive the “London living wage” of £7.85 (US$12) per hour, backdated to 1 July.

The RMT mounted a tough campaign for the cleaners to be paid the London minimum and the final group, cleaners working for ISS, a facility services company, will at last join their colleagues on a decent rate of pay from this month.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “This is a massive and historic victory for the RMT and our London underground cleaners and will come as a boost for other low paid workers right across the city. It shows very clearly that if you join a union, get organised and stand up and fight then you can win major improvements to your rate of pay."