Union density has risen massively in the last few months as workers have campaigned to win their right to the Agenda for Change conditions of service. In Bucks density is over 65% from less than 12% and in Southampton is now at 75% from 22%.
Workers at Southampton have been denied the full benefit of the agreement with an imposed ‘phasing in’ of the improvements over 3 years, which has left them without sick pay. A last minute offer to avert the strike vote was made on the morning of the union meetings but was unanimously rejected.
Workers at Buckinghamshire receive no sick pay, flat rates for weekend working and flat rates for overtime and most earn a fixed hourly rate of £6.30 an hour.
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/healthnews/8355683.Hospital_staff__work_when_ill__due_to_sick_pay_arrangements__says_union/
Compass – a global catering giant – recorded a pre tax profit of £773 million last year.