ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Hundreds of cleaners at Great Ormond Street have won their battle to be awarded the same pay and conditions as other NHS staff members at the hospital.

The agreement between the cleaners' union and hospital officials has averted a planned two-day strike.

Most workers at Great Ormond Street have historically received compensation for working unsociable hours, according to the United Voices of the World union. However, cleaners at the hospital received no extra payments for working overtime, overnight or for evening and weekend shifts. And union officials claimed this meant cleaners were missing out on thousands of pounds in extra payments a year.

UVW general secretary Petros Elia hailed the latest agreement as "another massive UVW win at GOSH" and praised the determination of workers.

Cleaner at the hospital and UVW member Memuna Kabia said: "We are all so happy. Our lives are going to change so much because now we know we are fully GOSH employees - and it's permanent."

The hospital's cleaners originally worked for private contractor OCS Group UK, but won a case in 2021 forcing Great Ormond Street to bring its contracts in-house. However, the group claimed they were still not receiving the same pay and benefits as other NHS workers.

GOSH chief executive Mat Shaw said: "I'm delighted that every one of our domestic services colleagues will have the opportunity to be on full Agenda for Change terms and conditions. And they will have access to all the benefits received by other NHS staff."