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Hospital Workers Protest Unequal Pay and Conditions Before Walkout
8 Sep
Summary
- Over 150 Airedale Hospital workers to strike over outsourced jobs
- Employees say subsidiary company does not honor NHS pay and benefits
- Protesters demand "equal pay for equal work" across the hospital
In the days leading up to a planned walkout, hospital workers and supporters at Airedale Hospital have staged a protest over being treated as "second-class citizens" due to differing pay and conditions. The protest comes as more than 150 Airedale workers prepare to strike from September 12-15 as part of an ongoing dispute.
The dispute centers around jobs that have been outsourced to an NHS subsidiary company, AGH Solutions. Porters, domestic workers, catering and security staff employed by AGH Solutions say the company does not honor NHS terms and conditions, including pensions, sick pay, annual leave and Sunday working enhancements.
Protesters argue that all hospital staff, regardless of employer, should be treated and paid equally. "We all work in the same building. We all sleep, eat and breathe the NHS. Treat us the same and pay us the same," said Gemma Williamson, a sterile services assistant who joined the demonstration.
The union representing the workers, GMB, has accused the Airedale trust of creating a "two-tier" system, with some staff paid at NHS rates and others receiving less. Hospital management insists AGH Solutions offers "very competitive" pay and conditions, but workers say the differences amount to "thousands of pounds" over a year.
As the strike looms, the hospital's managing director remains hopeful a resolution can be reached, but has contingency plans in place to maintain services if the walkout goes ahead.
