Strike action looms at South London hospital
Our members are not going to back down until the employer have a proper sit down with us to discuss their demands, says GMB
GMB members who work for Mitie as cleaners, hostesses and porters in St Georges Hospital in Tooting have voted to go on strike for 24 hours from 7am on Tuesday 30 May.
Further strikes have been scheduled for Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 June.
The dispute relates to pay and has been inflamed by members this week being underpaid, some by up to £800.
In addition, members of the union employed by Sodexo at the trust’s Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton have also voted to take strike action, though this has been suspended for four weeks to allow negotiations to take place between the employer and GMB.
Helen O’Connor, GMB Regional Organiser said: “The message for both employers could not be more clear: our members are not going to back down until you have a proper sit down with us to discuss their demands.
“Sodexo have at least agreed to talks, and that is why there will, for now at least, be no strike action taken at Queen Mary’s Hospital.
“Perhaps Mitie should be taking a leaf out of their book and engaging GMB in meaningful negotiations.
“The last thing GMB members want to do is disrupt the hospital service: they are in this job because they care about the people they are looking after.
“They are though prepared to take a stand in order to get paid properly, and the ball is now in Mitie’s court – you have until 30 May.”
Contact: Helen O’Connor on 07506 711 574
