Carillion workers hold hospital rally (From Swindon Advertiser)

Carillion workers hold hospital rally

4:24pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Local By Katie Bond

“ALL we want is justice and respect and they are not giving it to us.”

These are the words of Paulo Fernandes, one of 132 Carillion workers at the Great Western Hospital who will be striking next week.

Paulo, 52, of Beatrice Street, has worked in housekeeping at the GWH for the past four years and, along with fellow colleagues including porters, cleaners and domestic staff, has voted to back three one-day strikes over bullying claims.

The GMB union, which represents 150 of contractor Carillion’s 200-strong workforce, said 97.3 per cent of voters will be taking part in the strikes starting next week.

The union said it also wanted a fairer holiday system for workers.

Carillion said it was disappointed at the action.

“ALL we want is justice and respect and they are not giving it to us.”

- Paulo Fernandes

Yesterday about 80 workers took part in a rally outside the GWH grounds, waving banners and signs demanding they be shown respect in the workplace.

Paulo said: “We are not demanding a single penny but we demand respect.

“We provide essential services around the hospital, we are essential.

“We work all week and all we want is to be able to take four weeks off a year so we can go home to Goa.

“It can take a whole day of travelling to get home, we have to stop off at Bombay in between, it is a long time, we are going to a long distance continent and a week is not long enough to be able to do this.

“We can’t peacefully work on our job because we are constantly given disciplinaries, it is discrimination.”

Andy Newman, the branch secretary of GMB in Swindon, said: “It is regrettable we are in this position, we are available for talks with Carillion at any point.

“We can cancel the strikes up to the last minute but obviously we can’t leave the talks to the last minute because there are a lot of things to discuss, “We want to talk to them, we are going to be taking out 132 workers and that is going to impact patient care, they are necessary in keeping wards clean.”

A spokesman for Carillion said: “The matters that have been raised are still currently being investigated in line with our policies and procedures.

“The investigation has been a lengthy process and at all times we have sought to accommodate the GMB and its members.

“The process is due to be concluded this week and it is unfortunate that a decision to strike has been taken ahead of the conclusion of that investigation and ahead of a planned review meeting with GMB next week.

“Carillion has had many years of excellent employee relations.

“All of our employees provide a vital service to the hospital.

“The efficient running of the hospital and duty of care to patients is of utmost importance and we are disappointed with the decision to strike.

“However, we have robust contingency plans in place and are working closely with the trust to ensure that patient care is not compromised should strike action take place.”

Unless agreement can be reached, the strikes will take place on February 14, 21 and 23.