Hundreds of workers to strike across four hospitals in dispute over pay
Hundreds of outsourced hospital staff are set to go on strike later this month in a dispute over pay and conditions, a union has said.
More than 300 porters, cleaners and caterers employed by cleaning company ISS will take four days of industrial action from November 29 across four sites within Croydon and South London & Maudsley NHS trusts.
Staff at Croydon University Hospital in Thornton Heath, the Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill, Lewisham Hospital in Ladywell and Bethlem Royal Hospital in Beckenham will take part in the industrial action, with picket lines organised outside each site.
Key hospital services will be severely impacted, the GMB union has warned, unless ISS meet with their representative to discuss members’ grievances.
A spokesman for ISS said: “We are disappointed that this action is going ahead. We value the contribution of every ISS team member and will continue to work towards a resolution.”
The dispute centres around a number of workplace issues, including pay, excessive workloads and staffing cutbacks, the union said.
Helen O’Connor, GMB membership development officer, said: “Our members provide vital services to the patients in both NHS trusts and they are sick and tired of having pay held down and staffing cutbacks.
“Outsourced staff get less pay, lower sick pay, fewer holidays and are treated far less favourably than staff directly employed by the NHS.
“If ISS cannot treat their workforce in a fair way, then we all really need to question whether these contracts are value for money for the public purse.”
A spokeswoman from Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said portering and domestic teams “play a vital role” in the care delivered at the hospital.
She said: “Whilst the terms of an individual’s employment are a matter for ISS as their employer, as a Trust we have demonstrated our commitment to ensuring all of our contractors receive fair pay and conditions. We continue to support both parties as they continue to work with the trade union to find a suitable resolution to the ongoing dispute.”
A South London & Maudsley NHS trust spokesman said they hope ISS and GMB can resolve their dispute without the need for industrial action.
He said: “Our staff are our greatest asset, and we know that staff who feel supported at work provide the best care for our patients and the people who use our services. We want our staff to be able to support themselves and their families and afford the costs of living in London. We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer and are committed to ensuring everyone either working directly for us or our contracted service suppliers are paid fairly.”
Pictured top: A picket line will be held outside Croydon University Hospital throughout the strike (Picture: Google street view)