Months of negotiations, strikes and demonstrations ended today after the workers, represented by Unite, accepted a deal from Barts NHS Trust that will see them receive additional ‘special leave’, reports Marco Marcelline
Formerly outsourced porters and cleaners working at Barts NHS Trust have won a months-long dispute over a lump-sum Covid payment they did not receive.
During the pandemic, the staff had worked for Serco, before transferring back into the NHS just after the imposed deadline for NHS staff to receive the “thank you” payment, worth around £1,600.
Months of negotiations, strikes and demonstrations ended today (26th June) after the workers, represented by Unite, accepted a deal from Barts that will see them receive additional “special leave”. The leave is reportedly to the equivalent value of the lump-sum payment.
In East London, Barts Health NHS Trust manages Royal London, Whipps Cross, and Newham General Hospital.
Reacting to the workers victory, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a brilliant and incredibly hard-fought victory that our members should be incredibly proud of. They stood firm against their employer to get paid what they were rightfully entitled to.
“This shows yet again the power that the union movement has and how Unite’s unrelenting focus on jobs, pay and conditions means our members continue to win victory after victory across every sector of the UK economy.”
Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed added: “Our members at Barts are some of the lowest paid staff in the NHS who turned up for work when they were most needed and put themselves in danger during the pandemic. They never waivered in their fight for what was right and they should be lauded for their determination.
“This victory will resonate across the NHS and anyone who feels they should have received this payment and didn’t needs to join Unite – the union that is winning for its members.”
A spokesperson for Barts Health NHS Trust told the Echo that it was “pleased” to have reached an agreement with Unite.
The spokesperson added: “We believe this decision brings parity to all of our colleagues that were transferred over from Serco, who run essential services for our patients and are highly valued members of our workforce.”
During the dispute, action included the targeting the board of Barts (chaired by former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith) and demonstrations at NHS England.
Meanwhile, in February, around 100 Barts Health facilities staff took to the streets of Westminster to demand the payment.
The dispute resolution comes amid an ongoing junior doctor strike at the NHS. Fresh action will take place from 7am on Thursday 27th June until 7am on Tuesday 2nd July.
London NHS has stressed that emergency care “continues to be prioritised” during the industrial action and people should use its services as normal.
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