Covid bonuses of up to £1,600 earmarked for outsourced St George’s Hospital workers
Cleaners, porters, and catering staff at St George’s Hospital who are not full-time members of staff are to receive bonuses for work carried out during the pandemic.
The outsourced NHS workers at the hospital in Blackshaw Road, Tooting, have won payouts of up to £1,600 for their work. It is thought at least 500 are in line for the cash.
Members of GMB, the union for healthcare workers, have been fighting for a Covid bonus that was given to NHS staff – but not to those who have been outsourced to private companies.
The one-off bonus award came after 97 per cent of GMB members at the hospital backed action in an indicative strike ballot. Outsourcing giant Mitie U-turned to offer the bonus to avoid strike action, it’s claimed.
The workers will receive the payment by June 11 – and will be among the first outsourced healthcare workers in the country to do so.
Helen O’Connor, GMB regional organiser said: “This is a huge victory for NHS workers at St George’s. There cannot be a two-tiered approach to NHS workers – where those outsourced are left worse off.
“The workers themselves stayed strong and fought for what was they were owed. It shows the power of collective action.
“Cleaners, porters, and catering staff are vital to the running of the NHS and deserve to be treated with respect. The next step is to take this victory to hospitals all over the country.”
St George’s NHS Trust has been approached for a comment.
Pictured top: St George’s Hospital (Picture: Google Street View)
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