Cleaners on Southeastern trains are to stage a 24-hour strike in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union employed by contractor Wettons will walk out from 8.30pm on Thursday October 19.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Rail companies who are making a fortune out of Britain’s privatised railways think nothing of treating their cleaning staff like dirt.

“It is disgusting and the travelling public will know full well just what an essential service the cleaning team plays on Southeastern.

“Southeastern and Wettons want to lock in low pay levels for cleaners and continue to refusal to upgrade working conditions to a humane and acceptable level.”

This follows a report earlier this month that cleaners on Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink trains could all go on strike, after a ballot was announced announced by RMT.