Cleaners, porters and maintenance staff based at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary should have their pay and conditions improved to match colleagues on NHS contracts.
The support workers are employed by Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions (CHS) – a wholly owned subsidiary company providing facilities services to Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
Workers employed by CHS receive a lower pay rate, have lower sick pay and cannot join the NHS pension scheme, compared with their colleagues performing the same tasks employed directly by the NHS.
After 1 April, the key workers will earn just 4p an hour above the minimum wage.
The union says Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions should bring staff pay in line with those on NHS contracts.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Michael Parkinson said: “These workers provide key services at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, such as transporting patients and equipment, making sure the hospital is clean, and providing food for patients.
“They deserve to be paid properly and fairly for the work they do. Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions must bring their pay in line with staff employed directly by the NHS to end the two-tier workforce that has been allowed to develop over several years.”
Notes:
– Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. It provides a number of services to the trust, including facilities.
– The NHS Agenda for Change pay rates are available here.
