Threat of strike action at health sites across Lancashire, says UNISON  

Health workers ​employed by a private firm in Lancashire are ​voting over whether to take strike action to win the same pay and holiday rates as NHS colleagues, says UNISON today (Friday). The 50 ​employees, including porters, caterers and cleaners, work for healthcare facilities firm OCS at eight ​NHS sites across the county​. ​ ​The dispute has been running for some time, says UNISON. A year ago, OCS workers at hospitals, mental health units and clinics in Blackburn, Blackpool, Ormskirk and Preston, said they wanted to be paid and treated the same as their NHS colleagues. OCS staff were earning less an hour ​and get no extra money for night, weekend or bank holiday shifts unlike health employees working directly for the NHS. If OCS employees fall ill, t​hey also only get statutory sick pay of less than £96 a week. This means many keep working when unwell because they can’t afford to be off, says UNISON. Colleagues employed by the NHS receive their full wages when ill. Pressure from UNISON led to Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust and OCS agreeing last summer to match NHS pay rates. This meant a 69p increase to £10.19 an hour from 1 April for the OCS workers. But both the employer and trust refused to raise sick pay, annual leave or evening/weekend allowances. They also would not agree to backdate the wage increase to May 2021 when the workers’ pay complaint was first lodged. UNISON North West regional organiser Dale Ol...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release NHS subcos Source Type: news