Hull Royal contractor hits back at cupboard claims

Over 100 workers, mostly cleaners, have staged a protest outside the hospital

A contractor at Hull Royal Infirmary has denied its workers are being forced to eat and change in cleaning cupboards.

One former employee, Cheryl Bothamley, claimed she felt "belittled" and "bullied".

It follows protests at the Anlaby Road site where 100 workers, mainly cleaners called for better working conditions.

Cleaning Contractor OCS rejected the claims and said staff have access to all dining areas, toilets and facilities.

A spokesperson said: "OCS management meets regularly with colleagues and the Trust, as well as trade union representatives, and none of these issues have been raised or discussed."

'Bullying tactics'

However, Ms Bothamley claimed staff had felt intimated by supervisors.

She said: "I left because they made me very ill, mentally, and it's taken a big toll on my body.

"I tried to speak out but the staff were scared and faced bullying tactics like being threatened with the sack."

OCS said the wellbeing of staff is an "absolute priority" and the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said workers are treated like "our own employees".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the GMB union will hold further talks about their members' concerns with OCS management on 29 February.

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