Threat of strike action at four Berkshire hospitals
The GMB union has announced five days of strike action at Berkshire hospitals
Last updated 17th Nov 2021
Staff at four Berkshire hospitals are threatening strike action next month over changes to their job conditions.
Housekeeping, cleaning, catering and car park staff among those affected, with services in Berkshire recently handed over to a private company.
The GMB Union says its members are worried about pay, as well as working conditions and changes to job titles.
If industrial action goes ahead it would take place during the week starting 29 November.
It would see walkouts at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, Wokingham Hospital, Upton Hospital in Slough and St Marks Hospital in Maidenhead.
Asia Allison, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“It’s worth remembering that’s these staff didn’t want to leave the Berkshire Healthcare NHS family for the private sector in the first place.
"They feel abandoned by the Trust, despite having provided a high standard service for many years for them.
"Now they face having their NHS terms and conditions changed by NHS Property services.
"The current proposals are an attempt to circumvent TUPE protection and sever the link to NHS pay bandings.
‘‘Strike action is the last resort, but we must stop this threat to members' pay rates and their other terms and conditions."
An NHS Property Services spokesperson said:
“NHS Property Services welcomed our new colleagues from Berkshire on the 1st of October and have worked closely with Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to ensure their transition into the organisation.
"There have been no changes to their job descriptions, pay or benefits. All colleagues transferring into our organisation retain the right to maintain their existing terms and conditions. To suggest otherwise is misleading.
"As is standard procedure in similar transfers, job titles will be adapted to ensure they fit with titles used at NHS Property Services. This does not impact pay and is done to ensure new colleagues feel part of our organisation from the outset and are able to access the career paths we have on offer.
"We continue to be in discussions with the GMB to seek to avert this unnecessary action."