Industrial action by Sodexo-employed staff at St Mary's Hospital
A third period of industrial action by some facilities staff employed by Sodexo in relation to pay and terms and conditions has begun today at St Mary’s Hospital. It is due to continue until 23:59 on Thursday 28 November.
Janice Sigsworth, director of nursing, said:
“I would like to apologise for the noise and disruption caused by the picket action. Our staff are again doing everything they can to minimise the impact on patients and visitors. While we recognise the right of facilities staff to take industrial action, we have explained to them how much the noise is affecting patients and asked them to reduce the noise and work with us to ensure everyone’s safety at all times. We have also worked closely with Sodexo to ensure cover for essential facilities duties in patient areas.
“We are very clear that facilities staff are a key part of our wider team and we genuinely value and appreciate their contribution. Facilities staff have received a pay uplift to the London Living Wage (£10.55 per hour), backdated to 1 November, and we are actively following up with Sodexo a number of specific cases and concerns that have been raised with us by facilities staff and their representatives. We have also committed formally to explore the potential for achieving NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions for all staff though, as we have made clear, it is not possible for us to commit to any specific outcome until we have undertaken a thorough review of the options through our formal governance processes.”
