Hospital porters, caterers and cleaners employed by AGH Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airedale NHS Trust, have won a significant step forward in their campaign for full NHS pay and conditions.
After sustained strike action and fresh negotiations in October, workers voted to accept a new deal that brings them closer to parity with their NHS colleagues.
From 1 November 2025, AGH staff will see improvements including:
- Full alignment on weekend enhancements, annual leave, maternity/paternity leave, and death-in-service benefits
- 50 per cent sick pay boost this year
- Further 25 per cent increase in sick pay next financial year, with discussions to reopen in 2027 on further improvements.
The deal means that a porter with 5 years’ service will gain three extra days of annual leave, and Sunday pay will jump from 41 per cent beyond base hourly pay, to 83 per cent. Their sick pay will increase from 10 weeks full pay and 10 weeks half pay to 15 weeks full pay and 15 weeks half-pay.
The dispute continues at AGH solutions as workers are still fighting for their pension to be aligned with the NHS scheme.
Joe Wheatley, GMB Organiser, said:
"This is a fantastic win for Airedale workers and a crucial first step towards full NHS alignment, but the fight isn’t over yet.
"The Trust and AGH Solutions must recognise the right of our members to a decent retirement that reflects their commitment to serving the community within our NHS.
"GMB remain positive about upcoming negotiations, but members will not settle for anything less than a proposal that ends with full alignment to the NHS pension."
