The government must put a stop to plans that could see thousands of workers transferred out of the NHS and their pay and conditions worsened if it wants to avoid strikes, says UNISON today (Saturday).
On the eve of the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, the union is warning ministers there will be no place to hide if they don’t clamp down on NHS trusts farming out support services to subsidiary companies, known as SubCos*.
UNISON has tabled a motion to be presented by its general secretary Christina McAnea at the annual union event, which opens tomorrow (Sunday).
The motion says proposals by health trusts for more outsourcing are a direct contradiction of Labour’s pre-election pledge to bring privatised public services back in house. The union is warning that unless ministers act, there could be strike action in the autumn.
Staff employed by Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust, Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust and University Hospitals Dorset NHS are currently being balloted for industrial action over plans to shift hundreds of the lowest paid health workers to a SubCo.
That vote closes on 24 September, just days before Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
Ahead of the election, Labour promised to “bring about the biggest wave of insourcing of public services in a generation**.”
Despite this, says UNISON, NHS England is promoting the idea of trusts moving support staff like porters, cleaners and catering staff to SubCos to reduce their VAT bills.
The union is warning ministers they can’t duck the issue by claiming outsourcing is nothing to do with them and that it’s NHS England who is encouraging trusts to hive off staff.
UNISON says the decisions are being taken on ministers’ watch and they cannot hide behind NHS England. It’s urging the government to make it clear that NHS England shouldn’t be trying to offload workers to take advantage of a tax loophole the Treasury is likely to close.
Outsourced staff often have lower pay and worse conditions than workers employed directly by the NHS, and are less likely to have the same access to career opportunities and pensions, says the union. It warns that forcing more staff into SubCos will add to the staffing crisis in the NHS and worsen patient care.
UNISON has written to all NHS trusts highlighting the dangers of setting up SubCos and reminding senior managers of campaigns fought and won by unions the last time these companies were being used by desperate health bodies.
Many trusts have heeded the warning, but some, like those in Dorset, are ploughing ahead regardless and risk facing strike action, the union says.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Before the election, Labour promised to bring workers on private contracts back into public services. But in power, ministers are doing the opposite.
“The government can’t hide behind NHS England. These decisions are being taken on this government’s watch.
“The NHS needs to be rebuilt, not dismantled and parcelled off to the lowest bidder.
“Porters, cleaners and other staff want to be part of the NHS, working as one team to give patients the best care possible. Any trusts trying to move them out to subsidiary companies can expect opposition and potential strike action.
“The NHS depends on support staff to keep hospitals clean, safe and running efficiently. Many are already low-paid and farming them off to subsidiary companies will leave them with an even worse deal.”
Notes to editors:
– The annual Trades Union Congress will be held from tomorrow (7) to Wednesday 10 September in Brighton. The full UNISON motion can be found here.
– * SubCos are companies owned by NHS trusts but set up at arms-length as non-NHS bodies. NHS trusts set up SubCos to allow them to outsource support services and their staff, like those in facilities or administration. NHS England reportedly sees them as a quick fix for trusts to slash VAT costs and make savings to reduce their deficits.
– ** In its New deal for working people, Labour promised to “bring about the biggest wave of insourcing of public services in a generation.” The Labour manifesto said the new deal would be implemented in full.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy.
Media contacts:
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Government must keep promise on NHS outsourcing staff to avoid strikes, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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