Cleaners vote overwhelmingly for strike action to halt privatisation at the Princess Alexandra

Cleaners at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow have today (Friday) voted almost unanimously in favour of strike action against plans to outsource cleaning services. UNISON members voted 99% in favour of industrial action on an 84% turnout. The 220 staff that provide cleaning and domestic services warn that if jobs are transferred to the private sector it could spell disaster for patients. Research has shown that hospitals with outsourced cleaning have higher rates of infection than those with in-house services. The cleaners warn that pay and conditions will fall below NHS colleagues if services are outsourced, as a private company would not be part of any future NHS pay awards. And new starters could also face worse employment terms, with a private contractor having no obligation to pay more than the legal minimum. UNISON has recently won NHS pay rates for health workers employed by private companies in Doncaster, Liverpool, and Bolton. However, it is far better for staff and for patients if services aren’t outsourced in the first place, says UNISON. Employees will now discuss their next steps, including possible strike dates. UNISON has urged the Princess Alexandra Hospital to abandon its privatisation plans to avoid industrial action. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “All too often the reality of outsourcing is lower pay, a longer working day and reduced job security after a private firm takes over. Service users rarely see any benefit, it’s company...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release dave prentis NHS nhs pay outsourcing strike Source Type: news