GMB union to step up defence of NHS jobs as Frimley Health Foundation Trust press on with privatisation
GMB union to step up defence of NHS jobs as Frimley Health Foundation Trust press on with tax avoidance rationale for privatisation of non-clinical services. We urge Frimley NHS trust and its chief exec Neil Dardis to think again and protect our NHS services and workforce says GMB Southern.
Facilities staff at Wexham, Frimley and Heatherwood Hospitals, are today a little closer facing being moved into the private sector against their wishes as Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT) Chief Exec Neil Dardis and Deputy Chief Exec Janet King forward the business case for permission to set up a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) from the Secretary of State for Health.
The Trust who are yet to provide the GMB, the union for all NHS workers, with any sight of the evidence and extensive due diligence required by any NHS Foundation Trust Board seeking to present to NHS Improvements plans to make such a profit based transfer of some of the lowest paid staff into the private sector.
Gary Palmer GMB regional organiser says:
"FHFT continue to press on with implementing the transfer of all soft and hard facility management staff out of the NHS into the private sector, without evidencing any due consideration of the legitimate concerns of those being forced out of the public sector and into the cut throat world of the private profiteers.
"The fact that the Trust are choosing to be that profiteer instead of the normal suspects like Mitie, ISS, and Sodexo is of no comfort to GMB members and trust staff at all. They will simply be no longer part of the NHS, with new employees getting lesser Terms and Conditions, together with non-comparable Pay & Pensions work alongside existing colleagues doing the same work.
"Of course like most profit making organisations, the need to argue later down the line that they need the rationalisation of jobs and pay to maintain profitability, which will then see harmonisation of the workforce downwards to eventual see everyone on lesser rates. But its ok as Neil Dardis and Janet King, who will simply wash their hands of over 1000 staff, will both remain within the public sector on salaries well in excess of £150,000
"The GMB will be there to fight for staff whenever privateers look to replace patients, care, safety and staff pay with Profits, Cash, Savings, and Shareholders Dividends, and that fight will include Public and Political support to save NHS services and jobs and the use of Industrial pressure if ultimately required.
"GMB urge Frimley NHS trust and its chief exec Neil Dardis to think again and protect our NHS services and workforce as we have intrusted him to do and support the remain of Clinical and non-clinical services provision in house at all times.
ENDS
Contact: Gary Palmer 07552165950 or GMB Southern Press Office 07974 251 826
