Workers at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust given ‘Living Wage’ but union says it’s too late
The lowest paid workers at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust have been granted Living Wage entitlement, meaning a minimum of £11.05 per hour.
The Trust becomes one of a small number of NHS providers in London which has been able to achieve Living Wage accreditation.
But the GMB union says the delayed implementation of the rise has left workers very unhappy, and may not be enough to stem the flow of staff and contracted workers deserting the NHS for other catering, cleaning and lower-skilled jobs in different work sectors.
The Trust – which incorporates University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, a range of community health services in Lewisham and some services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup – has more than 2,000 people now entitled to rises in line with the London Living Wage.
Nearly 750 people employed by contractors, including catering, cleaning and portering teams from ISS and security staff from CIS Security, have also had their pay raised.
The London Living Wage is higher than the national minimum wage of £6.83 per hour for those aged 18 to 20, £9.18 per hour for those aged 21 to 22 and £9.50 per hour for those aged 23 and older.
The Living Wage is independently calculated each year. There is a separate rate of pay for London which is currently set at £11.05 per hour and reflects the higher costs of living in the capital.
Chief executive Ben Travis, said: “I’m proud to announce that we have formal accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation as a London Living Wage employer. This is something we have been working on for the last two years.
“Our staff across the Trust work tirelessly to provide high-quality care for our patients, and this shows our commitment to our lower-paid colleagues.”
But regional GMB Union organiser Helen O’Connor said: “Our members are very, very unhappy. By the time the new wage is implemented at the end of October, even if it is backdated, it will be subject to extra tax and won’t keep pace with the cost of living.
“Rising rent and energy bills are affecting the lowest paid disproportionately and many are struggling. More needs to be done or people will simply leave the NHS for other jobs.”
Pictured top: Lewisham University Hospital (Picture: Simon Turnbull)
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