Security guards employed by private contractor Engie Services within Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust have called off their planned 72 hour strike, which was set to begin tomorrow.
The security workers voted unanimously to strike over their employer's failure to pay NHS rates, with some being paid only the minimum wage rate of £8.21 an hour, compared £9.03 per hour paid to the lowest rate for staff employed directly by the NHS. The difference of 82p is worth £1,500 a year for full-time staff.
Even the security guards paid more than the minimum wage have been earning considerably less than NHS wage rates, and have had worse working conditions than other staff they work alongside within the Trust.
However at the eleventh hour before the strike, which had huge public backing on social media, Engie has offered to move all Salford security staff onto NHS (Agenda for Change) pay and conditions.
"This pay deal is testament to the unity and determination of the security staff at the Royal who stuck together and demanded fair treatment" says Amy Barringer, UNISON North West regional organiser "Hospital security staff are the unsung heroes of our health service and they fully deserve the NHS rates that they will now be paid.
"The strike notice has been withdrawn on the proviso that Engie signs an agreement to implement the deal this week" she adds "We hope this issue is now resolved but the security guards won't hesitate to call further strike dates if it looks the promised pay deal isn't forthcoming."
For a full background see previous Salford Star article – click here
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