“I’m sick of being the lowest paid and worst treated.  We are important and we should be paid properly.”

Cleaners and porters lobbied the Royal Bolton Trust Board today (Thursday) to call for equal pay for all hospital staff. 

Porters and cleaners are currently employed by the private company ISS.  They earn less than trust-employed staff and do not have the same entitlements to unsocial hours payments.  

In the future, the Trust is planning to employ all facilities management staff – including cleaners and porters – in a new organisation called IFM.  But the plans involve porters and cleaners continuing to have inferior terms and conditions of employment to their colleagues.  

A cleaner who addressed the rally said: 

“I’m sick of being the lowest paid and worst treated.  We are important and we should be paid properly.” 

Well-known local activist Harry Hanley said: 

“Cleaners and porters are the salt of the earth and they are key members of the NHS team.  The hospital relies on them and they should be paid the proper rate for the job.”