NHS hospital group’s facilities staff vote to strike over £30m pay discrimination claim

NHS Hospital Group's Facilities Staff Vote to Strike Over Pay Discrimination Claim The facilities staff at St George's, Epsom, and St Helier hospital group (GESH) have voted to strike following claims of pay discrimination. The union accuses the hospital group of "institutional racism" as cleaners, caterers, and porters are paid lower wages than their colleagues. More than 330 low-paid workers, primarily facilities staff, have voted to strike. They claim to have lost over £36 million in pay and pension contributions over the last four years. The union argues that this discrepancy in pay and benefits is unacceptable and amounts to a form of institutional racism within the NHS hospital group. The upcoming strike action aims to bring attention to the pay disparity and push for fair and equitable treatment of the facilities staff. The outcome of this dispute could have broader implications for ensuring pay parity and addressing potential systemic issues within the NHS.