Strike action looms at St Georges Hospital as ballot moves a step closer
“A legal redundancy situation is when the need for staff has diminished or ceased and the opposite is the case at St George's hospital”, says GMB Southern
GMB Members employed by Mitie have voted to oppose plans to make cuts to hours of cleaners and hostess staff in St George’s hospital as part of a bogus redundancy situation.
The workers have voted overwhelmingly to request an official strike ballot for action to fight the attack on standards in the hospital.
The request for permission to proceed to an official strike ballot in the dispute will be considered by the Regional Committee of GMB Southern Region at the next meeting.
Helen O’Connor Regional Organiser said, "A legal redundancy situation is when the need for staff has diminished or ceased and the opposite is the case at St George's hospital.
"In fact domestics and hostesses are already working flat out to cope with their huge workloads so the impact of a cut to their hours will lead to filth and chaos in the hospital.
"This bogus redundancy situation is part of the plan by Mitie to increase profit margins on this £150m long term outsourced contract at St George's hospital.
"GMB union members have sent clear message to their employer that they are not prepared to put up with cuts to cleaning in St George’s hospital.
"The workers have the full support of patients as these cuts will lead to domestic staff handling food which poses a cross infection risk to patients. Angry St George’s ward managers planned to raise the issue in senior level meetings today.
"GMB will leave no stone unturned to protect our members terms and conditions and services in St George’s hospital."
Contact: Helen O’Connor 07506 711574 or GMB Southern Press Office 07974 251 826
Notes to Editors: 1] Previous GMB Press Release: GMB to ballot members at St George’s Hospital over strike action (20 June 2019) https://www.gmb-southern.org.uk/news/gmb-to-ballot-members-st-georges-hospital-strike-action
