Employees of Serco at Great Western Hospital in Swindon took their fight for fair pay to a new level, meeting with their local Labour MP, Heidi Alexander, to discuss their ongoing dispute.
The meeting was an opportunity for workers to share their concerns directly with their elected representative and seek her support in securing a fair resolution to the issue.
Caterers, housekeepers, security guards, and porters, have been engaged in industrial action, demanding the same one-off payments awarded to NHS staff under the Agenda for Change pay deal. Despite Serco reporting profits of £249m in 2023, the company has refused to pass on these bonuses, which amounted to at least £1,655 for NHS employees.
At the meeting, Heidi listened to the workers’ accounts of feeling undervalued and overworked. She expressed her concern over Serco’s refusal to honour the NHS pay award for their staff.
In a show of solidarity, the MP promised to take the issue directly to the chief executives of both Great Western Hospital and Serco, calling on Serco to reconsider their decision and treat their workers with the respect and fairness they deserve.
UNISON regional manager Jayne Jackson said: “We’re grateful that Heidi Alexander is standing up for these workers and making sure their voices are heard at the highest levels. Serco’s refusal to award fair pay has gone on long enough, we hope to see a resolution soon.”
As the dispute continues, Serco workers remain determined in their fight for equal treatment. More industrial action could follow if Serco does not shift its stance.
