G4S workers set to take action from Monday
Cleaners and porters employed by outsourcing giant G4S at Croydon University Hospital are to stage a 48 hour walkout from 12am on Monday 30 October.
Members of GMB, the union for healthcare workers, are demanding the same pay and conditions as staff employed by the NHS, including one-off payments and bonuses.
The workers were balloted by their trade union earlier in the month and voted overwhelmingly for strike action.
Helen O’Connor, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Cleaning and portering services are essential for the smooth running of Croydon Hospital and it’s in the interests of patients, NHS colleagues and the community of Croydon that these vital workers are treated in a fair and decent way.
“The contracts most of these workers are on does not offer the same sick pay and other benefits that NHS staff get and even those few members who are fortunate enough to be on NHS contracts have not benefited from any of the uplifts and bonuses their NHS colleagues have received.
“Our members are fed up of being treated like the rubbish they get rid of every day.
“If G4S and the Trust fail to come up with a serious offer to resolve this dispute, our members will embark on an escalating programme of strike action starting with 48 hours next Monday and Tuesday.”