Striking Sodexo workers from North Devon District Hospital returned to the picket line for the second day of 48 hour strike action today. Despite freezing conditions and having to walk miles in the snow to maintain their demonstration, these determined workers are standing together to fight for their terms and conditions.
More than 200 hospital cleaners, porters and cooks are on strike in the dispute over the hospital's refusal to enact the national agreement under Agenda for Change ensuring terms and conditions for workers, including sick pay, overtime rates and weekend working rates.
Workers on the picket line on the first day of action were in good spirits despite the cold. Staff from Unison’s Croyde Bay Holiday Village made two trips to the picket line during the day to support the striking workers with tea, coffee and biscuits and Dominos provided free pizza. Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon, Mark Cann, came to support the workers and spent time talking to them about the problems they have faced getting the employers to engage in honest and meaningful negotiations.
The national agreement was signed in 2005, with workers entitled to the new conditions from 1 October 2006. Workers on the picket line yesterday have a clear message for the employers. “You’ve had the funds to meet this agreement, we’ve been entitled to it since 1 October 2006, so they should not only implement it in full now, but they owe us three years back pay!”
UNISON regional organiser, Helen Eccles, said: "The clock started ticking when the funds were provided to implement this agreement. From October 2006, Unison has consistently asked the trust and Sodexo to engage with Unison in line with the national agreement. The trust has had over three years to apply this agreement, and is still telling staff that they must wait."
