Hospital domestic staff vote for strike action

More than 90% of those who voted say they want to take industrial action, according to the union

Hospital workers such as porters, security staff and cleaners have voted in favour of strike action over what have been described as unequal working conditions, said a trade union.

The GMB union said staff at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in Bradford were angry because they do not receive the same pension, annual leave and sick pay terms as other colleagues since their roles were outsourced to AGH Solutions.

The union said affected staff were "treated like second class citizens".

An AGH Solutions (AGHS) spokesperson said the firm would work with the union "in good faith to try to resolve this matter, to avoid disruption to patient care".

The union has 150 members working at the site and said more than 90% of those who voted were in favour of industrial action.

Joe Wheatley, GMB organiser, said: "These workers are absolutely vital for Airedale Hospital to operate safely.

"It's outrageous that they are treated like second class citizens.

"These workers will walk out with heavy hearts - Airedale and AGHS must now recognise how important they are and give them the same pay, terms and conditions as the rest of the workforce."

The roles of the affected staff were moved to AGHS, which was set up in 2018 by the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust that runs the hospital.

Dennis Kentrop, AGHS managing director, said although the firm was a subsidiary wholly-owned by the trust, it was "in essence a private company with different terms and conditions from the NHS".

"We do have some employees on protected NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions as a result of them being transferred to AGHS when it was established.

"The majority of staff members are on AGH Solutions terms and conditions.

"It is not uncommon to have different terms and conditions in companies where staff transfer in with protection."

He said that "every AGH Solutions employee is valued".

Mr Kentrop said the company had "significantly improved" its pay, terms and conditions offer to colleagues on AGHS terms and conditions.

This included enhanced payments, increased annual leave and competitive pension contributions, he said.

A GMB spokesperson said members would meet with the union to decide on potential strike dates.

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