GWH workers to strike again

Workers at Great Western Hospital in Swindon are to take further strike action.

Their union, UNISON, says outsourcing giant Serco failed to offer a solution to an ongoing pay dispute.

North Swindon MP Will Stone has voiced his disappointment at Serco being unable to come to the table with a meaningful resolution.

Staff including cleaners, porters, and catering staff employed by Serco will walk out on Friday 14 February and again on Monday 17 February.

A two-day strike due to take place last week was paused at the last minute to allow for talks organised by local MPs Will Stone and Heidi Alexander. 

However, UNISON says Serco turned up to that meeting ill-prepared and unwilling to make an offer that could resolve the dispute.

Serco is refusing to pay two one-off bonuses awarded to other NHS staff in 2022/23, and worth at least £1,655. 

UNISON says this means Great Western Hospital employees have been paid less than their colleagues in neighbouring hospitals, even though they do exactly the same work.

Serco announced profits of £247m in 2023 and expects to post even larger profits for 2024 of around £270m, the union says.

UNISON South West regional organiser Tom Kennedy-Hughes said: "Serco’s refusal to take the talks seriously was an insult to the hardworking staff who keep Great Western Hospital running.

“Serco workers deserve the same pay as their NHS colleagues. It’s time the company stopped stalling and made a fair offer.

"It's thanks to Heidi Alexander and Will Stone that Serco came back to the negotiating table. But they need to come back with a serious proposal, or the dispute won't end.”

Swindon North MP Will Stone said: "I’m disappointed that Serco were unable to come to the table with a meaningful resolution to this long-running dispute for the hard-working staff at GWH.

"I will continue to champion their work and press Serco to resolve this dispute and recognise the hard work and risk their workers took through the Covid pandemic.”