UNISON members at Homerton hospital yesterday handed in a petition with over 3000 signatures calling on contractor ISS to honour an agreement made in 2017 to pay the London Living Wage.
Following campaigning by the Branch, ISS, who employs cleaners, catering portering and security staff at the hospital, finally began to pay the LLW in February this year. However, wages in previous years fell far behind; leaving staff owed thousands from their employer.
Members protested outside the hospital yesterday to call on the ISS to do the right thing and pay our members what they are owed. They are also calling on the Trust to bring the services back in house, putting an end to the two-tier work force.
Area Organiser Michael Etheridge said: “Coronavirus has shone a light on the disgraceful rates of sick pay members working for private contractors get – no one should be forced into poverty because they are sick. UNISON will continue to campaign for all services to be brought back in house on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, and an end to the injustice of outsourcing in the NHS.”
