Northwick Park strikes end as hospital workers win 25 per cent pay deal

Industrial action at Northwick Park Hospital has ended after GMB members accepted a deal that includes improvements to sick pay, annual leave and a pay increase of up to 25 per cent.

Hundreds of hospital workers - including caterers, ward hosts and porters – have taken a total of five days of strike action in protest against Medirest at London Northwest Healthcare (LNWH) Trust. 

There was anger over disparities in terms between their terms and those of in-house contracted staff, including significantly worse sick leave, annual leave and pay entitlements.  

In addition, last year’s NHS pay deal was not paid in full for many outsourced staff. 

The new deal includes: 

• All staff will be brought up to the London London Living Wage. 
• An additional day of annual leave and an additional week of sick pay for Medirest contract staff. 
• A one-off equalisation payment of up to £1,655 to address disparities in pay between different members of staff 
• The trust to enter into negotiations with the GMB on equalising contractual terms when the contract reaches its end. 
• Full recognition of the GMB across the whole of the NHS Trust, enabling the GMB to represent and negotiate on behalf of hundreds of members 

Bhimraj Rai, GMB Representative at Northwick Park, said: 

“Hundreds of low-paid staff will receive a pay rise of up to 25 per cent and fairer terms and conditions because GMB members have stood together for equal pay and equal terms. 

“GMB members have spent months negotiating and weeks on the picket line, but we have never accepted that workers should be paid less or receive different treatment for doing the same job.  

“Medirest has a responsibility to treat all its employees fairly. 

“We will keep fighting for all our members and keep campaigning for full equal terms.  

“Hundreds of Medirest members have joined the GMB since the start of this dispute and now, with full recognition, the union is stronger than ever.”