‘Overworked’ hospital staff stage lunchtime protest

Hospital workers who are left sick and injured from being “overworked” will stage a lunchtime protest this afternoon, a union has said.

Cleaners and caterers who are members of GMB union will demonstrate outside St George’s Hospital in Blackshaw Road, Tooting, from 12.30pm.

The workers are employed by Mitie, a facilities management and service provider, and are protesting against frequently incorrect pay as well as being overworked, according to GMB.

Helen O’Connor, GMB membership development officer, said: “Our members work hard to deliver safe and effective cleaning and catering services in St Georges Hospital but their efforts are being compromised by Mitie management.

“The workers cannot even guarantee they will be paid in full for all hours worked and are getting sick and injured from the strain of the excessive workloads.

“Momentum is building and if the workers grievances are not resolved GMB will support our members to escalate action.”

The demonstration follows an initial protest on March 4, but the union said members have not seen “any improvement” to their situation.

A Mitie spokeswoman said: “Our teams provide valuable services to support our NHS and we are proud of the work our colleagues do every day at St George’s. It is disappointing that GMB has decided to arrange this protest without engaging with us.  

 “If we are alerted to issues regarding workloads or pay, we work quickly to resolve these. They have not raised any outstanding issues with us.”

Pictured top: St George’s Hospital in Blackshaw Road, Tooting (Picture: Wandsworth council)