Members of the GMB Union employed as cleaners and hostesses will go on strike for three days, starting Monday.
The union says that contractor Mitie has “spent millions taking over a new company”, despite withholding wages for seven weeks.
Mitie spokesperson statement:
“We are disappointed with the decision to take industrial action. Our people are what make our business exceptional and we are proud to offer industry leading benefits. We have implemented a change to pay periods on this contract so that our colleagues can move from four-weekly to monthly paydays – a change that colleagues throughout Mitie have said is a significant improvement.
“We have measures in place to ensure that we continue to deliver these vital services to the Trust and maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and staff.”
Background
- We
have changed the pay period for colleagues on this contract from
four-weekly to monthly paydays. This ensures colleagues are paid on the
same date each month and receive a regular base salary each payday.
Feedback from colleagues elsewhere within Mitie who have moved from
four-weekly to monthly paydays have seen the change as positive, as it
helps them manage their finances better, as most outgoings, such as rent,
mortgage payments, council tax, utility bills etc are paid on a monthly
basis.
- We
have put several measures in place to ensure colleagues are fully
supported during this time. This included offering salary advances, which
are interest-free and can be repaid over many months, for those who need
it.
- As
part of ongoing discussions with GMB we also offered an interim payment to
ensure colleagues didn’t suffer financial detriment during this time. This
was rejected by GMB.
- No
wages have been withheld from colleagues.
- There
have been no changes to our colleagues terms and conditions.
- We are proud to offer industry-leading colleague benefits, including free life assurance for all our colleagues, a free multi-language 24/7 GP service for all our colleagues and their families, free Mitie shares, and an Employee Assistance Programme that offers practical and mental wellbeing support for all our colleagues.