Serco workers begin 48-hour strike after 'unanimous' ballot
Housekeepers, porters and security staff have been balloted for possible strike action over a pay deal dispute at Great Western Hospital
Healthcare workers at Swindon's Great Western Hospital have started on their first 48-hour walkout after last month voting unanimously in favour of strike action in a row over pay.
The UNISON union put forward the ballot over a pay deal, which is claimed to be worth more than £1600 to the contractors, who work as housekeepers, porters and security staff.
It's claimed by the union that they're being 'denied' the rise in their pay, which has been paid to other NHS workers across the country, whilst all staff who took part in the ballot also backed strikes over their unfair treatment.
Serco blame a funding application being rejected.
A wage deal was agreed from June 2023 for staff on NHS contracts (under the Agenda for Change pay scales), which included a one-off payment for the previous financial year - something which hasn't been honoured to Serco workers in Swindon.
UNISON says this means the firm’s employees have been treated less favourably than their NHS colleagues doing similar work.
Earlier this year, healthcare workers working in community hospitals for Wiltshire Health and Care and Sodexo in North Devon were awarded the £1,655 lump sum after several days of strike action.
More industrial action may follow
UNISON South West regional manager Jayne Jackson said: “All NHS workers deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do.
“Serco’s refusal to honour the NHS bonus has left hospital staff with no alternative but to vote for strike action.
"It is deeply unjust and has left hard-working hospital staff struggling to make ends meet.
“With an operating profit of more than £249 million for 2023, the company can easily afford to pay. It’s simply unjust that hard working and low-paid NHS workers should have to take industrial action to get the money they’re entitled to and deserve.
“It’s not too late for Serco to avoid disruption. The company simply needs to treat its employees fairly.”
UNISON has called on Serco to reconsider its stance and resolve the issue to prevent further disruption to services, but the union says that if the dispute is not resolved, more industrial action may follow.
'We will continue to work with UNISON'
A Serco spokesperson told us: “Serco has a great relationship with our colleagues and UNISON at Great Western Hospital and we are as disappointed as they are that our NHS funding application for the non-consolidated agenda for change bonus has not been successful.
"We will continue to work with Unison to find a mutually acceptable outcome to this issue.”
Read more: Serco workers vote 'unanimously' for strike action in ballot
Read more: Strike ballot opens for workers at Great Western Hospital