Menu
11/05/2009
Private Hospital Workers Win Equal Pay Conditions
Workers at Durham hospital have won the right to be paid on NHS terms and conditions by their private-sector employer - after threatening strike action.
UNISON had been negotiating with Balfour Beatty on behalf of more than 60 workers - including porters, domestic, catering, switchboard and security staff - to get the employer to honour a 2006 national agreement to bring them into line with staff directly employed by the NHS.
Faced with the employer's obstinacy, the UNISON members balloted for strike action - and it was only then that Balfour Beatty agreed to negotiate.
The company agreed a deal to honour the national agreement and improve its staff's pay and conditions last week, the day before the strike was due to start.
"I am delighted that we have managed to get justice for these hard-working, low-paid staff without having to resort to disruptive strike action," said UNISON regional organiser Ian Daley.
"The workers were not asking for anything extra, just what they are entitled to. The new agreement means that we no longer have the bizarre situation of staff doing the same jobs, in the same workplace, being paid different rates of pay."
Mr Daley said it is sad that union members have to threaten strike action, "especially in a hospital setting".
He added: "It is never something that we do lightly. However, this was what was needed to get the employer to see sense and pay the rate for the job."
(PR/JM)
UNISON had been negotiating with Balfour Beatty on behalf of more than 60 workers - including porters, domestic, catering, switchboard and security staff - to get the employer to honour a 2006 national agreement to bring them into line with staff directly employed by the NHS.
Faced with the employer's obstinacy, the UNISON members balloted for strike action - and it was only then that Balfour Beatty agreed to negotiate.
The company agreed a deal to honour the national agreement and improve its staff's pay and conditions last week, the day before the strike was due to start.
"I am delighted that we have managed to get justice for these hard-working, low-paid staff without having to resort to disruptive strike action," said UNISON regional organiser Ian Daley.
"The workers were not asking for anything extra, just what they are entitled to. The new agreement means that we no longer have the bizarre situation of staff doing the same jobs, in the same workplace, being paid different rates of pay."
Mr Daley said it is sad that union members have to threaten strike action, "especially in a hospital setting".
He added: "It is never something that we do lightly. However, this was what was needed to get the employer to see sense and pay the rate for the job."
(PR/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2014
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
01 September 2011
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
27 February 2006
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the Women and Work Commission found that women are earning 17% less than men. This was "bad for women and bad for Britain", the report said.
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the Women and Work Commission found that women are earning 17% less than men. This was "bad for women and bad for Britain", the report said.
09 February 2006
Parliament cleaners receive pay rise
Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament are to receive a pay rise, after settling their long-running pay dispute. The workers' rate of pay will increase in stages from £5.20 to £6.70 per hour by next January, under the terms of a deal agreed with the Transport and General Workers Union.
Parliament cleaners receive pay rise
Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament are to receive a pay rise, after settling their long-running pay dispute. The workers' rate of pay will increase in stages from £5.20 to £6.70 per hour by next January, under the terms of a deal agreed with the Transport and General Workers Union.
27 May 2005
HSBC staff take strike action over pay
Amicus trade union expects widespread disruption across HSBC services as thousands of staff take part in a 24-hour strike over pay.
HSBC staff take strike action over pay
Amicus trade union expects widespread disruption across HSBC services as thousands of staff take part in a 24-hour strike over pay.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
