Chase Farm Hospital staff at ISS to take strike action

Dozens of staff at Chase Farm Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action following allegations of bullying, overwork, and a toxic workplace culture.

The staff, who are represented by GMB Union, are employed by outsourcing giant ISS in a variety of roles including catering, cleaning, and security.

They voted 95 per cent in favour of industrial action, which is set to begin on Wednesday 15 July.

Serious allegations made by staff include bullying from managers - including racist comments - failure to properly pay overtime for bank holidays, changes to working patterns causing unmanageable workloads, and workplace grievances taking months to be resolved.

Despite repeated attempts by GMB and its members to resolve these concerns with ISS, ISS has yet to make any formal counteroffer to attempt to avert industrial action.

A GMB member working for ISS said:

"We are exhausted. Every day I have someone coming to me crying.

"ISS have treated their hardworking staff with contempt."

Jack Phipps, GMB Regional Organiser said:

"ISS have a duty of care to their staff and have repeatedly failed to address serious workplace concerns.

"Our members are determined to send a message to ISS that they will not be treated like this any longer."