Following two days of strike action, 200 UNISON members working for
Sodexo in North Devon NHS Trust, have won their bid for better pay and
improved terms, in line with a national agreement* set out in October 2006.
The deal will cover staff working as cleaners, cooks and porters, some of the
lowest paid staff working for contractors in the public sector. They will
receive a lump sum of up to £3,600, as well as a salary increase from 1
January, 2010, and other benefits including sick pay.
Dave Prentis will be joining the Sodexo workers at a rally (tomorrow)
Saturday 16 January, from 12.30-1.30pm in Barnstaple Town Square.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“I am proud of our members for making a stand. It is never easy going on
strike, particularly if you are low paid. But this action has shown what can be
achieved when members stay solid and determined.
“These were low paid cooks, cleaners and porters, who have been waiting for
three years to get the pay and terms they are entitled to under a national
agreement.
“This is a victory for the workers, and for common sense.”
Notes to Editors
*Agenda for Change was designed to bring and fair and equal pay into the
NHS. It was the biggest shake up in pay since the NHS was founded more
than 60 years ago.
The new pay and grading package covered more than 1 million NHS workers,
including people working on contracts for the NHS, to prevent a two-tier
workforce.