More than 300 GMB members to strike in South London hospitals as talks fail

Last-minutes talks fail to prevent a strike of ISS workers across 5 hospital sites

Members of GMB, the union for all NHS workers, are set to strike across two NHS trusts and five hospital sites in South London.

The workers are employed by private contractor ISS as domestics, porters and catering staff and will be taking four days of strike action from tomorrow.

On the final day of strike action, Monday 2 December, the members will be marching to ISS UK Headquarters in Canary Wharf.

The dispute centres around pay, terms and conditions.

Helen O’Connor, GMB Membership Development Officer said:

“Our members have had enough of being bullied, harassed and taken for granted.

“They work hard ensuring hospitals are safe, clean and that patients are well fed get to appointments on time.

“ISS are making staffing cutbacks and wages and conditions are being driven down.

“The NHS should exist for the benefit of patients and its hard-working staff should not be exploited by private companies who are out to make a profit.

“We are calling on Croydon NHS and South London and Maudsley NHS to get involved in resolving this dispute as they have ultimate responsibility over these contractors and their impact on staff and key patient services.”