Hospital domestic staff to vote on strike action

Cleaners and porter are some of the staff to be balloted for strike action (stock image)

Hospital workers such as porters, security staff and cleaners are to be balloted for 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 as "second class workers" and urged bosses to "get back to serious pay negotiations".

A spokesperson for AGH Solution said it offered "very competitive" terms and conditions for workers and said it wanted to work with the GMB to find a resolution.

Joe Wheatley, GMB Organiser, said: "These workers are essential to the smooth running of the Airedale hospital.

"Without them patients would not be safe or seen."

She added: "The last thing our members want to do is strike and disrupt patients lives, but we've been left with no choice."

The strike ballot closes on 13 August, with any industrial action expected to begin in September.

Dennis Kentrop, managing director of AGH Solutions Ltd, said the firm was committed to improving it as a place to work.

"Following recent negotiations with GMB, we further improved upon our proposal," he added.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.