Living Wage successes

The GMB general union has secured the London Living Wage for patient transport staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, following lengthy negotiations.

The increase to £9.15 per hour for staff, employed by outsourcing giants G4S, represents a 40% pay rise, and will take effect from 1 June.

Emergency medical technicians employed by G4S on the same contract also receive a 16.6 % pay rise.

In a separate dispute at the hospital over 200 GMB members, employed by another private contractor ISS as cleaners, security, ward hostesses, caterers, on the switchboard as well as porters, have suspended strike action after the employer tabled an offer which would give these workers pay parity with directly employed NHS staff. It will mean a pay rise of 8.7% for many of these staff.

www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/gmb-secures-living-wage-for-patient-transport-staff