North Devon District Hospital workers strike over pay
- Published
Sodexo said it was working to resolve the dispute
As many as 100 North Devon District Hospital workers went on strike over pay on Friday.
Workers employed by private contractor Sodexo said the company had refused to honour a one-off payment to them despite it being given to NHS colleagues.
Sophie Jones, from Unison, said staff felt like they were seen as "second-class workers".
Sodexo said it was working to "resolve the matter".
A spokesperson for Unison said Sodexo had "millions in the bank"
The staff believe they should have been given the same money as NHS colleagues who got a minimum one-off payment of more than £1,600 last year.
Ms Jones said staff were feeling "let down".
She added: "The difference 1,000 to £1,600 can make to them is massive.
"They really are the nuts and bolts of this hospital. Without them this hospital cannot operate."
Ms Jones said Sodexo had "millions of pounds" in the bank and this settlement was a "teardrop in the ocean of their profits".
A spokesperson for Sodexo said it would "continue to work with the trust, the Department of Health and Unison to resolve the matter".
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