Porters, cleaners, switchboard and catering staff working at the Cumberland Infirmary plan to take three further days of strike action as their dispute over pay continues.
The workers – employed by Mitie at the Carlisle hospital – took strike action on Friday and Monday, saying the action is in response to “missing payments” for working “unsocial hours”.
UNISON, the union representing the workers, has revealed today that staff plan to take a further three days of action, beginning on March 26.
Mitie says it already pays its employees time and a half or double time for overtime hours (i.e. anything beyond contracted hours).
However, UNISON says staff have not received “unsocial hours” payments, which is a separate contractual term and is a percentage of hourly rate depending on the time and day, for more than 10 years.
Now, the leader of Cumbria County Council has called for the dispute to be resolved.
“I have been following this issue closely for several months now, and I was saddened to see it result in strike action, with the potential for further strike action in the coming weeks,” explained Stewart Young.
“These switchboard workers, cleaners, catering staff and porters are the lowest paid at the hospital; yet they are a vital component of its operation, as they have demonstrated throughout this pandemic.
“When the public took to their doorsteps to clap for NHS workers, it was as much for them as it was for the doctors and nurses; and I believe there is a moral obligation on the Trust, HMC and Mitie to resolve this issue.
“All staff working 24/7 at the Cumberland Infirmary are deserving of equitable unsocial hours rates of pay, and I join the call in asking for resolution before further strike action is required.”
UNISON North West regional organiser David Atkinson said: “We are pleased to see that a regional political leader has called upon NCIC, HMC and Mitie to resolve this dispute by paying our hospital workers what they are owed.
“Ultimately, the ‘substantial sum’ purportedly handed over by the Trust to HMC is taxpayers’ money. Local people have a right to know what has happened to this money and it is only right that the Trust, HMC and Mitie are subject to political scrutiny over this issue.
“This group of health workers are determined to secure fair treatment after what they have been through this year. They are set to strike again later this month, but all of this could be avoided if we received a written guarantee that they will receive unsocial hours payments going forward.”
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, said it had not yet received notification that further action was planned.
A spokeswoman said: “We encourage Mitie to resolve this dispute and along with the PFI company, HMC, the trust continues to engage with them for this to be achieved.
“Mitie’s plans to maintaining services for the patients and public will be our key priority and we will work closely with Mitie’s local team to ensure arrangements are in place to sustain safe services if further action takes place.”
A statement from Mitie said: “We are disappointed that Unison has decided to take this action, as they are well aware that we are, unfortunately, not in a position to provide a guarantee at this time.
“We have not received any of the suggested funds to support unsocial hours payments. Meanwhile, the trust and HMC are continuing constructive talks to resolve the situation and agree on a long-term solution for all parties.
“As always, our focus is on ensuring that the hospital continues to receive the support it needs and patient safety is prioritised, particularly with the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19.”
