Airedale Hospital workers to vote on strike action

Airedale hospital workers will begin a strike vote on Friday [25 July]

Porters, domestics, catering and security staff are angry because they get worse terms and conditions than colleagues working at the same hospital.

The workers have been outsourced to AGH Solutions (AGHS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

AGHS uses its subsidiary status to not honour the NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions, including NHS pensions, sick pay rates, annual leave and Sunday working enhancements.

GMB is calling for parity for everyone working across the trust.

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

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. It cannot be right that they are being treated as second class workers.

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

"It's time Airedale and AGHS recognise the skills of these vital staff and get back to serious pay negotiations."

T&C	NHS ‘Band 2’ Porter	AGHS ‘Grade A’ Porter
Pension	Employee Contribution = 6.5% Employer Contribution = 23.78% Defined Benefit Scheme	Employee Contribution = 4% Employer Contribution = 3% Defined Contribution Scheme
Annual Leave	Entry = 27 days + 8 days 5 years + = 29 days + 8 days 10 years + = 33 days + 8 days	Total = 26 days + 8 days
Sunday Enhancement	Time + 83%	Time + 41%