North London mental health trust staff walk out on strike

The staff are employed by outsourcing giant ISS in a variety of roles at North London NHS Foundation Trust including catering, cleaning and security

Dozens of staff at North London NHS Foundation Trust have walked out on strike.

The staff, represented by GMB Union, are employed by outsourcing giant ISS in a variety of roles including catering, cleaning, and security.

The strike action was announced at the start of June after months of negotiation resulted in a failure to agree on members’ claims on working practices and culture, equalisation of terms with NHS staff, and union recognition.

After ISS’s latest offer was presented to members, 95% voted to reject and maintain industrial action.

Strike action began yesterday (Tuesday 15th) at North London NHS Foundation Trust’s Chase Farm Hospital site in Enfield, and continues for the rest of this week, before resuming for three more days on Wednesday (22nd). Further dates are also expected to be announced.

Jack Phipps, GMB’s regional organiser said: “ISS have shown no respect for their workers and have repeatedly failed to make a reasonable offer to meet their concerns, leaving our members with no choice but to take strike action.

“Our members first raised a collective grievance over a year ago and ISS has had more than enough time to engage with our members’ concerns.

“Our members’ message to ISS is clear: show staff the respect they deserve by getting back round the table and meaningfully addressing the serious issues members have raised.”

When contacted for comment previously as the industrial action was announced, a spokesperson from North London NHS Foundation Trust said: “ISS provides services including catering, cleaning and security. We are working closely with ISS to ensure appropriate plans are in place to minimise any disruption, and these will be kept under constant review in the lead up to and during the period of industrial action.

“Our priority is to maintain safe, high-quality patient care, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure services continue to operate safely during this period.”

ISS did not respond.

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