Outsourced facilities staff at an NHS mental health facility in Newham have gone on strike over pay.
Members of the Unite union want their employer, the private contractor GFM, to pay them on equal terms with staff employed directly by the NHS.
Describing their plight, one striker said: “That’s why we’ve come out - to to voice our opinion. We want to get across to GFM [the contractor] that enough is enough.”
The strikers include porters, domestics, catering staff, gardeners and maintenance workers at the Newham Centre for Mental Health, which is situated next to Newham University Hospital.
'Enough is enough': outsourced workers at Newham Centre for Mental Health are out on strike over pay. Video: Local Democracy Reporting Service
The union says that many are paid at below the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour, which is recommended by the Living Wage Foundation charity.
Unite regional officer Gary Boodhna said the strikers were calling for pay in line with the terms and conditions agreed for staff who are employed directly by the NHS.
He said: “They do exactly the same job as other workers employed at Newham University Hospital. There’s no reason these workers can’t be paid the same as their colleagues.”
Unite says GFM has made more than £2 million in profits over the last five years and that its parent company stands to benefit from a £200 million contract to rebuild the hospital.
GFM says it has been in “continual discussions” with the union over increasing pay for staff earning less than the London Living Wage.
However, it says discussions “cannot move forward” unless the union provides “vital information” on how many members it has at the centre.
Several strikers said they also wanted to receive the same sick pay and bonuses for night and weekend work as directly-employed NHS staff.
They say GFM only pays statutory sick pay, which is £118.75 per week week after three days off, meaning many feel they have to work even if they are ill.
One striker said: “When they are sick they still have to come to work because they don’t get paid, so it’s important for them to get that recognition.
“Night allowance is not paid – those who are working on the NHS contract get the benefits for doing the same job.”
GFM did not respond directly to questions about wages and sick pay, but said it was “committed to resolving any issues”.
A spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite has decided to rush into strike action when they have failed to provide us with essential information about how many union members they have at Newham Centre for Mental Health, despite repeated requests since January.
“We cannot move forward with discussions and negotiations unless this, and other, vital information is provided – something they are aware of – and we remain ready to engage further once we receive this information.”
They added: “We’ve been in continual discussions with them since January and even in the past few days around increasing pay for colleagues receiving less than the London Living Wage, which we are addressing.
“We have also invested in recent months in improved facilities for our staff and we are committed to resolving any issues. We await the union’s response to our very reasonable questions.”
The strike began today (Monday 1 September) and is set to finish on Friday (5 September).
Another strike is set to take place between Monday 15 and Sunday 21 September.
