Christina McAnea celebrating with health members at Whipps Cross University Hospital
Cleaning, catering, and support workers at Barts Health NHS Trust are now directly employed by the NHS again, following a successful campaign by UNISON to bring them back in-house, the union announced this week.
The trust had been gradually bringing the 1,800 staff, previously employed by Serco, back under its employment since last November, and the process was completed on Monday (1 May).
Security and reception staff became NHS employees again last autumn. They were followed by porters in February, helpdesk staff at the beginning of April and, finally, cleaning, catering and support staff this month.
UNISON’s general secretary Christina McAnea visited three of the trust’s hospitals – Royal London Hospital, Whipps Cross University Hospital and Newham University Hospital – to celebrate the win with workers. The two other hospitals involved are Mile End and St Bartholomew’s.
Ms McAnea said: “It’s always going to be better for health workers to be employed directly by the NHS. Barts is to be congratulated for this move, which will make a real difference to everyone affected.”
UNISON London regional organiser Pam Okuns-Edokpayi added: “The NHS couldn’t function without the vital contribution this group of staff make, and it’s great to see Barts recognise this. UNISON is proud of the deal negotiated.”
Eileen Phillips, Barts health director of soft facilities management, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome our soft FM colleagues into the trust and the Barts Health family.
“We have incredibly dedicated teams of caterers, domestics, porters, ward hosts, security teams and receptionists, who work hard every day to support our clinical teams deliver excellent care to our patients.”
