Contract cleaners working on publicly owned East Coast trains yesterday resumed strike action over pay.

The workers, who are employed by profiteer ISS, have not had a pay rise since 2011.

They began strikes earlier this year but suspended them in August when talks with employers revealed the possibility of forward movement.

But the hoped-for breakthrough did not come and strike action will resume on Monday September 22 with a 48-hour stoppage.

Rail union RMT said that transnational ISS was highly profitable and that the workers’ pitiful wages were based on “nothing but pure greed.”

Picket lines will be mounted at stations along the East Coast route between London and Edinburgh.

“It is outrageous that ISS continues to refuse to take the matter of fair pay increases and improvements to terms and conditions seriously,” said RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash.

“To have had no pay rise since 2011 is a disgrace while this wealthy global company makes huge profits on the back of pure exploitation of the workforce.

“Previous strike actions have been rock solid and are a measure of our members’ determination to secure pay justice. The ball is once again back in ISS ‘s court as RMT’s campaign continues to win fair pay.”

RMT cleaners made a breakthrough in Tyneside last year when strike action won a commitment to gradual pay rises to achieve the living wage.