UNISON welcomes Imperial College Healthcare’s decision to keep staff on NHS contracts

Wednesday 31st March 2021
For immediate release

UNISON welcomes Imperial College Healthcare’s decision to keep staff on NHS contracts

Over 1000 cleaners, porters, and catering staff at Imperial College Healthcare trust are celebrating today (Wednesday) after the trust announced it will continue to directly employ them following negotiations with UNISON.

The staff, who were previously employed by Sodexo, were brought back in-house temporarily in April 2020, which was up for review this month.    

The trust will now start the process of consulting staff to move them over to full NHS (Agenda for Change) terms and conditions, ending the unfair disparity of a two-tier workforce the union said.

UNISON Greater London regional organiser Debbie Eakins said: “We’re very pleased that the trust has not only made this decision permanent but also are looking to improve the terms and conditions of staff contracts further.

“Cleaners, porters, and catering staff play a vital role and the NHS simply would not function without them.

“UNISON congratulates the trust in taking this decision and hope it is the first of many in London”

Notes to editors:
– Hospitals managed by the trust include: Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary’s, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, Western Eye.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

 Media contacts:
Emma Davey M: 07432 733187 E: e.davey@unison.co.uk