GMB Day of Action against ISS
GMB Day of Action against ISS
Where: University Hospital Hairmyres
When: 13.00 hours Thursday 11 April 2019
“Pay us what you owe us!” Hairmyres hospital staff gear up for protest against cash-grab PFI contractor
GMB Scotland members at Hairmyres University Hospital will protest tomorrow (Thursday 11 April) against imposed changes to their employer’s payroll system, which will leave many staff short of one week’s wages.
NHS Lanarkshire facilities contractor ISS are rolling out new payroll arrangements across it’s UK operations, codenamed ‘Operation Greenlight’, affecting over 300 staff currently paid on a fortnightly basis at the East Kilbride hospital.
However the planned change for ISS Hairmyres staff at the beginning of May will result in a one week lag in the fortnightly pay date - meaning staff must wait three weeks for two weeks pay. The employer has offered repayable loans and ‘emotional support’ for staff affected.
ISS, a Danish multi-national services contractor which generated global revenues of £8 billion last year, delivers cleaning and maintenance services as part of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which financed the construction of the new Hairmyres hospital in 1998.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said: “The payroll changes being imposed by ISS are an absolute scandal and run the risk of plunging hard working NHS staff and their families into unnecessary hardship.
“The ISS offer of bridging loans to make up the financial shortfall is simply a cash grab on our members’ wages, compelling us to contact NHS Lanarkshire’s Chief Executive and the Cabinet Secretary for Health to urgently intervene.
“Operation Greenlight has been imposed without proper consultation with staff trade unions and it is a complete contradiction of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work Convention principles - this shouldn’t be happening in our NHS.
“There is no excuse for making staff work for a loan of their own wages. Tomorrow our members will protest in their own time to give ISS a message that’s straight to the point: Pay us what you owe us, on time and to the penny.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland NHS Representative Sam Mullin on 07493 023212 or Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.
