The revolt of NHS inequalities: more than 300 hundred workers from St Helier Hospital and Epsom vote 98% yes for strike
- Over 300 cleaners, carriers and caterers vote unanimously for a strike action
- NHS-Employed but still refused the salary and the conditions of the NHS after 4 years
- Workers are asking for complete contracts on the agenda (AFC) and the end of second class status; Same salary of illness with full remuneration, same minimum wage, same pension, same improvements and annual rights
- This is the first time that NHS workers have passed to strike to secure the basic terms and conditions of the NHS set out on the agenda of change contracts while being directly employed by the NHS. It is also the first strike to take place in these two hospitals in recent history.
Hundreds of essential workers from St Helier facilities and Epsom hospitals have given a historic voting result, with a participation rate of 81% and 98% voting yes to strike action, which marks a decisive escalation in their full equality campaign in the NHS.
The more than 300 UVW members – massively migrant and minority ethnic history – are directly employed by the NHS, but continue to be refused the agenda for change (AFC), more than four years after being brought back internally.
Workers demand a complete parity with their colleagues through the trust, including equal wages, patient wages, better contribution of pensions and an increase in annual leave. Despite the vital first line work, they remain in lower terms, receiving more than £ 1 less per hour, no improvement for nights or weekends, only 3% of contributions to employers' pension (against more than 23% for holders of AFC contracts) and up to two weeks of annual leave per year in less AFC.
The vote comes just a few weeks after UVW members confronted the Conseil de Confidence directly during a public meeting, demanding responses. The workers' message is clear: just.
The strike will be the first in recent history of the hospital and one of the most important climbs in the fight against NHS inequalities. The typing dates will be announced imminently.
Leon Brughton, bring to St Helier and member of the UVW, said:
“This positive result is the beginning of what will happen. We are all fed up with what is going on. This is excellent news that everyone thinks in the same direction and that we are all united. Confidence has refused to listen to us too long, but we prove that we are united and that we do not listen now, we can no longer ignore ourselves.”
Dennis Gyamfi, cleanser at EPSOM Hospital and UVW member, said:
“I'm ready to strike, we are all ready!” We are only one team, and confidence cannot continue to give some people better salaries and pensions while treating the rest of us differently. I'm not just ready – I'm really impatient to do so.
Alberta Bamfo Owiredua, specific to Epsom Hospital and UVW member, said:
“We are only one family. We need AFC contracts, they have ignored us for too long, they haven't listened to us. I am satisfied with the results of the ballot, we have to go. ”
Ian Parker, bring to St Helier Hospital and UVW member, said:
“Bright results of a 98% saying yes to a strike action. This result will send chills into management thorns because we have finally taken care of how we have been treated over the years without salary increase (except that only increases in London wages), without improvement to work after 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, London weighting has not increased the price since 2017 (which we will still … be proud to keep you on the sticking line.
Petros Elia, UVW secretary general, said:
“This massive vote of 98% yes sends a message that can no longer be ignored. These workers have shown extraordinary courage, unity and determination. They don't ask more than the others – they demand what is rightly so. They are NHS workers in all respects, but they have been treated as second -class years. They are not only unjustified – they are discriminating. get up.
* A previous version of this press release indicated “nearly 400 workers”. The current figure is greater than 300, and we have updated the text to reflect this.
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NHS staff contracts are governed by the 2004 change program (AFC), which provides much better conditions than private workers.
Despite the essential front line work, workers in St Heliers and Epsom hospitals earn less than NHS Band 2 – £ 13.85 staff against £ 14.92 – losing thousands per year.
They also lack key advantages such as sick leave paid from the first day, and improved nights and weekend remuneration, which can increase NHS wages to £ 20 and £ 27 an hour for band 2.
Their contributions to the pension are only 3%, well below the standard NHS of 23%, and they are stuck on the 24 days of vacation, without increase for the duration of service, unlike colleagues who receive up to 33 days more on holidays.
United Voices of the World is an anti-racist union, led by members, a campaign union and we exist to support and empower the most vulnerable groups of precarious workers, little paid and predominantly of BAME workers and migrants in the United Kingdom. We fight the bosses thanks to direct action in the streets and by the courts and demand that all members receive at least the living London salary, full salary, sick salary, dignity, equality and respect.
