Hospital staff protest over plans to cut 58% of jobs in key department
Staff at a major hospital are set to protest against plans to slash a huge number of jobs including those working in fire safety and water quality, a union has said.
Unite union members employed at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust will take to the street outside St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, tomorrow.
The protest comes after the trust announced plans to cut jobs in the in-house team covering facilities and capital development from 151 to just 65.
Jobs at risk include roles such as fire safety, water quality, major projects, maintenance and minor construction work.
All workers in the department will also be required to reapply for their jobs, Unite claims, with many of the new posts being paid at a lower rate.
Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “These plans are bad news for workers, for patients and the local community.
“Rather than save money, it will result in NHS money disappearing into the pockets of spivs and privateers.”
The Guy’s and St Thomas’ trust covers a large section of the NHS in London. It includes Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s, Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals as well as 100 community sites across Lambeth and Southwark where outpatient, diagnostic and primary care services are provided.
Unite says that the trust plans will result in hospitals becoming “increasingly reliant” on outsourcing companies to undertake roles previously undertaken in-house.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Guy’s and St Thomas’ is acting disgracefully towards its workers who are vital to keep its hospitals functioning. Its management should be ashamed.
“This so called reorganisation is nothing more than a bonanza for consultants, with outsourcers hitting the jackpot, while the actual staff doing the work are downgraded or thrown on the scrapheap.
“Unite entire focus is on protecting the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at Guy’s and St Thomas’ will have the union’s complete support.”
Unite has warned that if the trust does not revise its plans, the union will launch a wide campaign against the cuts including formal industrial action.
A spokeswoman for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are currently engaged in a consultation process with a number of colleagues from Essentia who provide non-clinical capital and estates services at the Trust.
“We are committed to working in partnership with our trade unions, and will address any issues raised with us through the appropriate channels.”
Pictured top: St Thomas’ Hospital, where the protest will take place (Picture: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust)