Airedale Hospital workers vow to continue striking

Support workers at Airedale Hospital have vowed to continue striking until the “two-tier workforce” has been resolved.

Union members say the strikes are a response to pension, sick pay, annual leave, and Sunday working enhancements being poorer for staff not employed by the NHS.

Desa Bower, a catering hostess said: “I wanted to be treated fairly and to be able to retire with a good pension like my other colleagues will.”

“They’ll be retiring with a big pension and will be able to do nice things and we won’t be. I’ll absolutely keep striking until we’re treated equally.”

AGH Solutions said that they put forward an updated proposal, which was rejected by the union.

Gemma Williamson, a GMB Union representative said: “The hospital’s subsidiary doesn’t work, all it does is create a two-tier workforce and animosity between staff.

“We are making a difference, we get a lot of public support, lots of cars honking their horns and Wes Streeting, the Health Minister met some of the staff”, she added.

The health minister met GMB members at the TUC conference in Brighton earlier this month and promised to contact the trust to discuss a way forward.

Source: Toby Almond | All Rights Reserved

AGH Solutions is a subsidiary owned by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust which employs a range of estates staff which provide services for the hospital.

John Lever, a porter who works in the Emergency Department said: “We used to be employed by the NHS until they set up the company (AGH Solutions) and that was when our rates changed.

“It’s a way of saving money but at the expense of the workers”, he added.

Source: Toby Almond | All Rights Reserved

Matthew Thomas, a Healthcare Support Worker and GMB Union Representative said: “We’re not asking for extra pay or anything over the moon, we’re simply asking for it to be equal with the NHS staff.

“It’s a peaceful picket line and we get a lot of support, but we also get abuse from people telling us to get back to work and we’re lucky to work for the NHS but that’s where they’re wrong.”

Source: Toby Almond | All Rights Reserved

Jon Wilson, Assistant Director of Facilities at AGH Solutions said: “We offer very competitive AHGS pay, terms and conditions which continue to attract talented individuals to the company and provide valuable opportunities for local employment.

“Following recent negotiations with GMB, we put forward an updated proposal with improved elements. However, this proposal was rejected. We are committed to continue working in partnership with our trade union partners and we remain open to future discussions.”