Nearly 1,700 outsourced staff at five hospitals across east London have won a much-deserved pay rise, recognising the vital work they have done in keeping hospitals running throughout the pandemic, says UNISON.
The 3% pay increase has been awarded to staff working for Serco in “soft facilities management” at Barts Health NHS Trust and includes cleaners, receptionists, porters, catering and security staff amongst others.
UNISON met with representatives from ACAS, the trust and employer Serco yesterday to confirm the rise.
Those workers who previously had NHS contracts before transferring to Serco will receive a 3% pay rise, as well as a £100 bonus.
This is a substantial increase on Serco’s initial offer, ensuring staff get a pay rise in line with staff employed directly by the NHS, says UNISON. It will also ensure all Serco staff are paid above the London living wage of £11.05 per hour.
Staff directly employed by Serco will also receive a 2% rise, in addition to the earlier 1% rise the brought them above the London living wage, as well as the £100 bonus.
UNISON has also won a number of non-financial benefits for staff, including paid breaks, 25 days of annual leave plus eight bank holidays and full sick pay for all staff.
The union’s members will now be balloted on whether they wish to accept the offer.
UNISON regional organiser Pam Okuns-Edokpayi said: “This a huge victory for low-paid staff working on one of the biggest outsourced NHS contracts in the country.
“Staff have earned this pay rise – going into work to keep hospitals running during a historic pandemic. The union is in their corner and delivering for them.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is Britain’s largest public sector trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public services, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services
– Serco is a large government-services contractor that employs around 1,700 people on the contract to provide Soft Facilities Management for Barts Health NHS Trust
– Barts Health NHS Trust runs five hospitals in east London – Mile End Hospital, Newham Hospital, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the Royal London Hospital and Whipps Cross Hospital.
Media Contact:
Nathan Burns M: 07813 722747 E: n.burns@unison.co.uk