Hospital workers act over 'two-tier' pay

Cumberland Infirmary was the first PFI hospital

Support workers at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle were taking industrial action on Wednesday in a bid to end what they claim is a "two-tier wage system".

The action, organised by Unison and GMB unions, includes cleaners, receptionists, porters and caterers, employed by private firm Interserve FM.

It includes an overtime ban and work-to-rule.

Staff at the flagship PFI hospital will also refuse to clean public areas of the building.

Managers at the hospital say patient care has not been affected and that they want to hold more talks with unions.

'Business as usual'

Staff who transferred to the new PFI infirmary when it became privately-financed claim they are missing out on bonus payments enjoyed under the National Health Service.

But the company says it is paying the going wage rate.

Steve Nightingale, Interserve manager at the hospital, told BBC News Online: "Staff have acted in a very responsible manner and continued to make sure patient care is not affected.

"Everything is being run to normal standards and we are carrying out our necessary business.

'Unacceptable offer'

"We have written to the unions asking for more talks about our proposals but won't do it under the cloud of industrial action."

But Robin Moss, Unison's head of health for the northern region, told BBC News Online: "Further action could lead to lightning strikes on particular days at particular times, unless there is some progress.

The hospital is the first to be built under PFI

"The offers that have been made are totally unacceptable and have been rejected by our members.

"It is a tragedy we have had to go to the lengths that we have in order to make a point about our members' pay conditions.

"We have got a two-tier workforce. One set of staff is on NHS conditions and staff working alongside them - employed by private contractors - are on lesser conditions."

Interserve employs 275 catering, portering, switchboard operation and cleaning staff at the hospital, although not all are union members.

North Cumberland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust would not comment on the wage dispute.