Negotiations are taking place to return cleaners at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to the control of the health board.
The move would affect 300 workers employed by private company Cofely.
The plan is to make them employees of NHS Lothian for the first time since the hospital was built in 2002 under a PFI contract which included domestic services.
UNISON Lothian branch chair Tom Waterson welcomed the move, telling the Edinbugh Evening News: “At other hospitals, the domestic staff are part of the ward team and it seems to work better.
“Staff are proud to wear the NHS uniform.
“Obviously, we will be seeking assurances that all the jobs are retained with decent terms and conditions.”
NHS Lothian says the talks are “at an early stage”.
Edinburgh Evening News: Cleaning staff back under NHS control
