LUNCH in the mop cupboard and regular threats were revealed yesterday as the grim reality faced by cleaners, as workers on a key rail network prepared to down brooms this week over lousy pay.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report urged bosses to step in to ensure cleaners are treated properly in light of “disturbing” evidence of mistreatment by supervisors, clients and even members of the public.

Some staff said they were treated as the “lowest of the low.”

Others said they were threatened with the sack for becoming pregnant.

Sick pay and holiday pay  rules were also routinely abused by bosses, the report found.

“Fairness, dignity and respect are values we all share,” said EHRC commissioner Caroline Waters.

“Yet the commission uncovered some disturbing evidence of the absence of these in the treatment of many cleaning workers by supervisors, clients and the public.”

She added that despite the workforce numbering nearly 500,000 people, cleaners were largely invisible.

Cleaners on the state-owned East Coast rail network working for contractor ISS will stage a 48-
hour strike from Friday, demanding a fair settlement from the company.

Workers will refuse to sign on for shifts from a minute past midnight on Friday to 11.59pm on Saturday night.

Members of rail union RMT will picket numerous locations along the East Coast route.

“It is outrageous that ISS is refusing 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.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the EHRC report “shines a light on British businesses’ dirty secret,” and encouraged companies to introduce living wage contracts.

“Tackling the injustice by speaking up and joining a union often results in further persecution,” she added.

Cleaners at London’s St Pancras station employed by privateer Interserve called off a strike planned for this weekend after agreeing to attend conciliation talks.