A rally will be held for the outsourced NHS workers outside Royal London Hospital. The workers are fighting against low pay and exploitation.
This Monday (January 31), hundreds of key NHS workers, employed by the giant outsourcing company Serco, will begin a two week strike across Barts Health NHS Trust (see notes to editors).
Speakers at the rally include Apsana Begum MP (Poplar & Limehouse) and John McDonnell MP (Hayes & Harlington).
Unite members who are cleaners, porters, security, catering and reception staff across St Barts, Royal London Hospital, and Whipps Cross will take strike action between Monday 31 January and Sunday 13 February.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The NHS workers taking strike action have their union’s unwavering support. They face the same risks as NHS-employed staff. Why on earth are they being paid significantly worse while being treated disgracefully?
“It’s time to end this injustice. It’s time to bring these workers, employed by Serco not the NHS, back into NHS employment.”
Unite regional secretary Peter Kavanagh said: “Our members have worked tirelessly through the pandemic, they deserve better. Serco and Barts need to deliver a pay increase that addresses the poor pay and the inequality of treatment compared to directly employed NHS staff at other hospitals in London.”
