Hospital workers strike suspended after breakthrough pay offer

Hospital workers’ strike action that would have taken place this week has been suspended after they were offered a pay rise by their employers.

GMB members working at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust have called off their strike after they were offered an increase of 17 per cent, as well as a deferred Covid bonus payment by cleaning management company, ISS.

The strikers, who work as cleaners and caterers, have already taken 13 days of action and were due to strike again tomorrow for eight days.

The strike committee voted unanimously for members to be balloted on the offer with a recommendation that it is accepted.

The strike is now suspended to allow for the ballot to take place across the trust’s four sites – Maudsley Hospital, Bethlem Hospital, Lambeth Hospital and the Ladywell Unit in Lewisham.

Helen O’Connor, GMB regional organiser, said: “Our members have come a long way from being ignored and forgotten, which shows that strike action works.

“This pay offer signifies that the domestics and hostesses are finally being heard and taken seriously.

“The offer, if accepted by union members, means that the majority of the workforce would receive an inflation-busting pay rise with backpay, plus the Covid bonus payment that they missed out on.

“GMB members will have the final say on the offer as we move into a ballot period, but we can confirm that the planned strike action due to begin this Thursday will be suspended while we run the ballot.”

Pictured top: Workers striking outside Lambeth Hospital in Landor Road (Picture: Helen O’Connor)