Hospital workers “resolute to keep pressure up” on Serco in pay dispute
They are striking for the third time since September
The lowest-paid workers at Great Western Hospital are on their sixth day of industrial action today, as they lay down their work in an ongoing dispute with employer Serco.
They are demanding to get the same two bonuses of around £1,655 that their NHS-employed colleagues received to honour their work during the Covid pandemic.
Their last strike action was called off in favour of a meeting with MPs and Serco, but is now being resumed as the employer failed to offer a solution, according to UNISON.
Tom Kennedy-Hughes, regional officer at UNISON, said: “Serco’s refusal to take the talks seriously was an insult to the hardworking staff who keep Great Western Hospital running.
“Serco workers deserve the same pay as their NHS colleagues. It’s time the company stopped stalling and made a fair offer”.
In 2023, Serco announced profits of £247m, a figure that is expected to go up again in 2024.
Among workers, there is a feeling of great injustice.
A housekeeping assistant at Great Western Hospital said: “We had worked at the Covid times, and it was like we are entering in the danger zone where nobody wanted to work at that time.
“We had risked our lives to get there and help with the patients and do whatever we can. That’s the time we served the patients and the government, so that’s why we deserve that money”.
Local MPs Heidi Alexander and Will stone are also in support of the workers.
It was them who organised the meeting with UNISON and Serco, hoping to settle the dispute.
Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, said: “"I’m disappointed that Serco were unable to come to the table with a meaningful resolution to this long-running dispute for the hard-working staff at GWH.
"I will continue to champion their work and press Serco to resolve this dispute and recognise the hard work and risk their workers took through the Covid pandemic.”
Serco provided a statement, saying they are “trying to find a solution”.
"We have met with both MP Will Stone and MP Heidi Alexander to discuss how they can support Serco in escalating discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to fund the one-off payment. They both agreed to assist in facilitating engagement with the department. It is disappointing that further strike dates have been announced and we will continue to work with all parties in trying to find a resolution.”
According to UNISON, staff have voted to keep putting pressure on Serco through a “range of tactics”.