Hundreds of low-paid NHS hospital workers have won a significant victory after securing improved pay, pensions and holiday entitlement, following overwhelming support for strike action. More than 330 cleaners, caterers and porters at the St George’s, Epsom and St Helier hospital group (GESH) — representing 98% of those balloted — voted to walk out unless they were granted the same contracts as their NHS colleagues.
The facilities staff were brought back in-house as NHS employees four years ago but were left without full access to the NHS’s Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions. According to their union, United Voices of the World (UVW), this exclusion resulted in millions of pounds in lost pay, reduced pensions and inferior leave entitlement over several years. UVW accused the trust of “institutional racism” due to the lower pay levels faced by staff who are predominantly from minority ethnic backgrounds.
The union’s report estimated that workers lost a combined £32 million in pay and benefits, while £6 million in pension contributions had been withheld. Facilities staff received a maximum hourly rate of £13.85, compared with a minimum of £14.92 for other NHS workers. Annual leave was capped at 24 days with no progression based on service, while other NHS staff could receive up to 33 days plus bank holidays. Pension contributions were also significantly lower — 3% compared with the standard 23.7% NHS rate.
Strike Threat Forces Hospital Group to Act
The planned strike was averted when the GESH board voted on 6 November to approve full AfC contracts for all facilities staff. The move followed increasing pressure from unions across the country, as non-clinical NHS workers have been pushing for fair pay amid rising living costs and staff shortages.
Recent industrial tensions across the NHS — including disputes involving junior doctors, consultants and ambulance workers — have intensified scrutiny on pay inequalities within the service. The facilities staff’s campaign became part of a wider national conversation on fair and equitable treatment for essential workers.
Workers Celebrate “Life-Changing” Agreement
Pujan Sherpa, who has worked as a cleaner at St Helier hospital for nine years, welcomed the agreement and said it would bring long-overdue security to families. “Now we have a pay rise, NHS holidays, NHS pensions. They will finally pay us better for working weekends, for example, which I do. Having more money in our pockets will have a big impact on our family life,” she said.
UVW general secretary Petros Elia praised the workers’ determination, stressing that the deal was won through collective strength rather than goodwill from management. “After years of being ignored, underpaid and treated worse than second class, they forced the trust to treat them as equals. This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together. They are true NHS heroes.”
Hospital Trust Commits to Ending Inequality
A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that the board was committed to correcting historical inequalities affecting porters, cleaners, caterers and patient transport workers. “We are proud of the diversity of our workforce and our board has taken decisive action to end an historical arrangement that left some of our people paid different rates for doing similar work,” the statement said.
The trust confirmed it will now begin consultations to implement full AfC terms from April 2026, including a pay rise exceeding £2,000 and increased annual leave for eligible staff.
