Calls for London NHS Trust to be stripped of living wage accreditation as staff vote for industrial action
Outsourced waste management staff at the London Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) have today voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The staff, who are employed by Grundon, voted over 90% on a turnout of over 80% in favour of taking industrial action in a ballot carried about by their union, GMB.
At the core of the dispute is Grundon’s failure to pay London Living Wage, set at £14.80 an hour to reflect the true cost of working in the capital.
LNWH is an accredited Living Wage Employer, meaning it is obligated to pay the London Living Wage to all outsourced contractors and to agree to ‘have a plan in place at the first legal opportunity’ at the point of accreditation.
Grundon and LNWH have, however, confirmed that no such plans are in place.
GMB have written to the Living Wage Foundation to ask them to strip the LNWH of their accreditation as a Living Wage employer to reflect the breach of their terms.
Industrial action is expected to begin in the new year.
Jack Phipps, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“We are appalled that Grundon refuse to pay a Living Wage and that the Trust is failing to enforce their obligations.
“If employers can pick and choose which workers receive a Living Wage it makes a mockery of the process and undermines trust in Living Wage accreditation.
“Our members refuse to be treated as a two-tier workforce.”
