Caterers, housekeepers, security guards and porters working for Serco at Great Western Hospital in Swindon are to begin 48 hours of strike action next week in their ongoing dispute over pay, says UNISON today (Thursday).
The walkout is due to start at 7am on Monday (16 September) and continue until 7am on Wednesday (18 September), as workers demand the same one-off payments already awarded to their NHS colleagues.
The wage deal agreed for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts in June 2023 included two lump sum payments for the previous financial year (2022/23). But Serco has refused to pass on the one-off bonuses (worth at least £1,655) to its employees at Great Western Hospital.
The union says Serco workers, who perform crucial roles in the hospital, are being unfairly treated compared to their NHS counterparts. Earlier this year, similar disputes at other healthcare sites, including in North Devon and Wiltshire, were resolved after employees secured the pay rise through strike action.
UNISON South West regional manager Jayne Jackson said: “Serco’s refusal to honour the NHS pay deal is deeply unjust and has left hard-working hospital staff struggling to make ends meet.
“Serco posted profits of over £249m in 2023, so there’s no justification for denying its employees the same financial recognition as NHS workers. Staff have been left with no choice but to strike to demand the fair pay they’re entitled to.
“It’s not too late for Serco to avoid disruption. The company simply needs to treat its employees fairly.”
UNISON has called on Serco to reconsider its stance and resolve the issue to prevent further disruption to services at Great Western Hospital. If the dispute is not resolved, more industrial action may follow, says the union.
