Staff at South London and Maudsley NHS trust balloted for
industrial action
26 October 2010
Unite members at South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS trust are
being balloted in a consultative ballot for industrial action over
disparities in terms and conditions.
Cleaners, catering staff and domestic staff are angry with the
inequality between different workers’ terms and conditions.
Supervisors, who are employed by contractor Aramark are on lesser
terms and conditions than the staff they manage, resulting in less
sick pay, annual leave and weekend pay.
A Unite campaign successfully secured NHS terms and conditions
for domestic ward and catering staff - also employed by the
contractor - a year ago, but after nearly a year of further
negotiations supervisors remain on inferior conditions.
Richard Munn, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members are fed
up with being treated like commodities and want fairness for their
colleagues. The contractors are exploiting their employees by
expecting them to oversee staff, who at weekends are actually
earning more money than them. Our members rightly expect a
better remuneration package when they take on more
responsibility. I am sure that such unfairness does not
happen further up the management structure within Aramark.
“The ballot closes on Monday 1 November and if there has been no
resolution from the company by this point we will begin an
industrial action formal ballot.”
SLaM NHS trust is a large mental health trust which covers areas
of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Croydon and Bromley. Unite has
over 200 members at the two large hospital sites the Bethlem and
Maudsley.
Employees on NHS terms and conditions receive a minimum of 27
days annual leave, enhancements at weekends and bank holidays and a
sick pay scheme aligned to length of service (amongst other terms).
Supervisors get just 21 days leave, no enhancement at weekends and
minimal sick pay.
ENDS
For further information contact: Jody Whitehill on 07768 693956
or Richard Munn 07739 078343
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