Hairmyres Staff To Demo Over Unpaid Wages

GMB Scotland Media Calling Notice – ISS ‘Pay What You Owe!’

Where: Main Entrance, University Hospital Hairmyres, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride, G75 8RG

When: Wednesday 19 June 2019, Noon until 14.00 hours

Hairmyres Staff To Demo Over Unpaid Wages As NHS Contractor Threatens Union Members With Dismissal

GMB members at Hairmyres will demonstrate once again tomorrow (Wednesday 19 June) as they fight to reclaim lost wages following the imposition of a new payroll system, which resulted in staff receiving just two weeks’ pay for three weeks work.

NHS Lanarkshire facilities management contractor ISS rolled out ‘Project Greenfield’ across its UK operations last month – but the implementation date of its new payroll system resulted in fortnightly paid staff waiting an additional week for the receipt of their wages.

And amid rapidly deteriorating employment relations, GMB has written to the Minister for Fair Work, Jamie Hepburn MSP, raising concerns about anti-union activity by ISS and allegations of management threatening staff with dismissal for participation in the on-going strike ballot.

Strike action would affect services like catering, cleaning, housekeeping, maintenance, portering and security at the East Kilbride hospital. The ballot will close at Noon on Thursday 27 June.

GMB Scotland Organiser Karen Leonard said: “The charge sheet against this employer is getting longer by the day and this is all happening without intervention right under the noses of NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Government.

“It is bad enough that ISS are withholding one week’s wages from their hard working staff but it is disgraceful that management are now threatening staff with dismissal if they vote for strike action geared towards reclaiming those wages.

“This flies in the face of basic democracy and employment rights, and the targeted harassment of trade union members makes a total mockery of the Scottish Government’s ambitions to be a nation of fair work.

“Our members will again demonstrate tomorrow to highlight this injustice but both NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Government can swiftly resolve this matter by finally stepping in and telling ISS to pay what they owe.”

ENDS

Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Karen Leonard on 07718 112031 or Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.