By Charlotte Webster-
Cleaners and porters gathered in front of Croydon University Hospital on Monday in protest over sick pay, chanting “G4S pay us now” .
Union workers warned that staff could strike on the issue if no resolution is found.
Workers at the London Road hospital claim are threatening to keep strikes going unless the matter is fully resolved, as they complain to have been deprived of full sick pay when they were off with Covid-19.
The GMB union claims staff are now only entitled to basic statutory sick pay from the government, which is £96 a week.
Many workers have complained about huge workloads and the usual petty minded bullying meted out by private-company managers, who want to squeeze human labour and pay pittance for it. Most are desperate for overtime hours because the pay is so bad, but none will be given on the same day, making it very difficult for these workers to balance their lives.
Workers reported that they are afraid to go into the Covid wards in case they pick up the illness and are unable to work, because they won’t get a penny from G4S. Some have gone off sick with injuries and G4S has not paid Statuary Sick Pay.
One worker was left at home struggling with breathing difficulties for weeks with no money. The poverty pay, also known as the minimum wage, left one woman crying when she moved home and she was faced with an electric bill for £150. Another member struggles to afford to buy formula for his new baby. Many are forced to pay thousands to get work visas renewed. To add insult to injury, there is a two-tier workforce and some older employees get full NHS sick pay, good unsocial-hours pay and additional pay enhancements, but these better-paid G4S workers also think that the way the company operates is unfair.
Helen O’Connor, GMB regional organizer said: “We are always happy to engage in talks, but those talks must deliver results that improve the pay, terms and conditions of GMB members or they are pointless.
“Ill workers are facing massive hikes in bills, and those employed at Croydon Hospital buy G4S cannot survive on the sort of poverty pay they are currently paid.“Our members have told GMB that they want pay justice because they are all too aware that it’s their hard work that is keeping the contract going within the hospital trust. They are simply demanding to be valued and that this be reflected in pay, terms and conditions.”
Croydon Health Services told The Eye Of Media.Com that they have assured GMB union that no worker on the sick will lose pay, but the Nhs Trust has not disputed that there are workers who have in te past not received sick pay when ill with Covid-19, but claims to cater for all its staff.
A spokesperson for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: “G4S, our contracted providers, have given us full assurance that no staff will lose pay if they are off sick with COVID-19 and the Trust had already, and will continue to, reimburse G4S to cover the cost of this.
“Our portering and domestic teams play a vital role in the care we provide for our patients and their continued safety and well-being will always be our top priority.”