NHS staff in Bradford go on ‘indefinite’ strike over ‘backdoor privatisation’ fears Hundreds of low-paid hospital staff are concerned about their imminent transfer to a wholly-owned subsidiary company

Hundreds of low-paid hospital staff have voted to strike indefinitely over plans to effectively strip them of their NHS status in what could prove to be a test case over “backdoor privatisation” and the creation of a two-tier workforce.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust wants to create a wholly-owned subsidiary company to run its Estates & Facilities department, which will mean the transfer of up to 600 staff out of the NHS into a company called Bradford Healthcare Facilities Management Limited on 1 October. The company’s two directors – Steve Blenkinsop and Michael Quinlan – are senior managers at the trust.

The majority of people who will be affected by the change are porters, cleaners and security and catering staff, who have started a two-week strike on 1 August. On Thursday, Unison members voted near unanimously to continue the strike indefinitely until the situation is resolved. The trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI), St Luke’s Hospital and several community hospitals, has offered 25 year “guaranteed” protection on terms and conditions of employment in the new company, a promise which has been rubbished by union solicitors who said the “guarantees” are not legally binding. Terms and conditions can be changed lawfully 12 months after the transfer, according to lawyers.

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The “revolving door” of chief executives in recent months has also given staff cause for serious concern. Dr Clive Kay was head of the trust until March when he left to become chief executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. John Holden then became acting chief executive but he will be replaced by Mel Pickup, who arrives from Warrington and Halton Hospitals Foundation Trust, in the autumn.

Pension scheme

As well as fears over the so-called guarantee over workers’ rights, access to the NHS pension scheme can only be confirmed after the transfer into the new company. Staff who have been paying into the scheme for many years fear they will lose that benefit.

Shakeelah Suleman, 38, who works in the ward hospitality team in the catering department and has been at BRI for 22 years, said: “We enjoy working for the hospital, we’ve all worked here for a very long time and we like working for the Trust. We don’t want to be privatised, we want to stay with the NHS. I feel like we will be sold off.

“Striking is not easy – that’s our livelihood – we are losing out a lot of money. But we’ve all come here and showed how strong we are and united we stand… This is my first time taking action. But I’m so glad that I did, even though we never wanted to have to. There’s so much love going out here, so much respect. I’m proud of us.”

Margo, who has worked in estates admin at BRI for 18 years, said: “The Trust think that, because we’re the lowest-paid, that we won’t go on strike. But they’ve been surprised. They didn’t realise they were making us stronger.”

Last year, strikes by health workers in Wigan forced NHS bosses to withdraw similar plans to outsource hundreds of porters, cleaners and other support jobs. Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust wanted to outsource 900 jobs to wholly-owned subsidiary company WWL Solutions Ltd. The Bradford staff hope their action will lead to the same result – several other trusts are understood to have put their plans to create similar “subcos” on hold until the situation is resolved.

Jeremy Corbyn lent his support this week. “I send my full support to NHS striking workers at Bradford Hospital Trust fighting against the backdoor privatisation of their jobs,” the Labour leader said. “The NHS is our country’s proudest institution, and it only exists due to the hard work and determination of the workers within it.”

I send my full support to NHS striking workers at Bradford Hospital Trust fighting against the backdoor privatisation of their jobs. The NHS is our country’s proudest institution, and it only exists due to the hard work and determination of the workers within it.@unisonyh ✊ — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 7, 2019

Research by Keep Our NHS Public has found around 30 NHS subsidiary companies have been created in recent months as trusts attempt to transfer many services – including clinical roles such as community nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, as well as IT and personnel services – out of the NHS.

The campaign group said the companies have been set up to exploit a VAT tax loophole which permits companies the ability to reclaim tax on goods and services which is otherwise not permissible in the NHS.

Dr Tony O’Sullivan, retired consultant paediatrician and co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: “It is simply a lie to say these subsidiary companies are not privatising the NHS workforce. Bradford is a key test of whether NHS trusts will succeed in driving through these private companies against the wishes of NHS staff.

“Some 97 per cent of affected staff balloted at Bradford trust voted for strike action which shows the strength of feeling on this issue. Their sustained industrial action when others have previously backed down makes this an emotionally charged and watershed struggle, the outcome of which could be significant . Workers here are setting an impressive example for the tens of thousands of NHS staff potentially facing similar threats.”

“You are part of the whole Health team, your jobs are important.

Your union is behind you”

Sara Gorton – UNISON Head of Health @saragorton_1 Speaking with members from Bradford Hospitals on strike, fighting to remain in the #nhs #noprivatisation #sayno2subco pic.twitter.com/RZnzezDRSQ — UNISON Health (@UNISONOurNHS) August 8, 2019

Unison head of health Sara Gorton, who was on the picket line this week supporting staff, told i: “People go to hospital to be diagnosed, treated or recover from illness. But patients can’t get better if the hospital is dirty, if food is bad and if they can’t move from one place to another safely and quickly.

“Staff providing support services aren’t just an extra resource to be shunted around when finances are tight. They’re a vital part of the team and deserve to be treated with respect, not used as bargaining chips.

“The cleaners, porters, security guards and catering staff striking in Bradford have made it clear how much staying in the NHS means to them. It’s why they’ve given their all to their jobs, but their loyalty is being squandered.

“We’re facing a rising tide of new subcos. They’re being waved through because trusts are paying lip service to the need for proper consultation, while scrutiny of financial claims is scant. There must be a rethink or the outcome will be division, demoralisation and the departure of thousands of dedicated staff.”

Reaction “If we don’t stop this it could happen everywhere. They could go after our terms at any moment. 25 years means nothing. Everything could change.” Ashfaque, ward hospitality assistant at Bradford Royal Infirmary for 8 years “Our number one priority is to make sure that we provide safe and effective care to our patients, and we continue to do this during the industrial action.” Sandra Shannon, deputy chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust “Staff are taking this action to ensure the NHS keeps its highly motivated and committed workforce together, working for the people of Bradford, not for the directors of a private company.” Dave Prentice General secretary for Unison “In management’s eyes, we’re the lowest of the low. They think they could get anyone in to do our jobs. But we’re out here because we see the bigger picture. We have to save the NHS.” Julie, Ward Hostess at Bradford Royal Infirmary for 30 years “I join with Jeremy in sending my solidarity to the union members in Bradford standing bravely against privatisation of our NHS.” John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor “Trusts undertake extensive due diligence before deciding to create the wholly owned subsidiary. Trust leaders tell us that they discuss this at trust board meetings a number of times, explore alternative options and consider legitimate staff concerns carefully before a decision is made.” NHS Providers, the membership organisation and trade association for NHS trusts

‘Insecure jobs’

Mike Foster, chair of Health Campaigns Together who lives close to Bradford hospital, told i: “The staff want to remain within as NHS employees and feel if they don’t make a stand now that they’ll slip slowly into a new world of insecure jobs, deteriorating conditions and a bigger turnover of staff. The NHS is in a financial black hole so all trust boards are looking for any kind of way to save money – and this is one of them.

“Bradford has become a cause célèbre, because we think if the strike is successful and the trust retreat then the Government and NHS England will back away from these plans and say it’s not worth it – and look for other ruses. This is the most important dispute that there has been against wholly-owned subsidiary companies.”

Irene Hughes, 50, who works at St Luke’s, said: “Unless [the Trust] can tell the future, which no-one can, they can’t promise us anything. Even if they shelved it for a year, to look more into it, but they just seem so adamant that this is the way they want to go forward – and it won’t stop with us.”

Sandra Shannon, deputy chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the “100% NHS-owned company” had been created to “provide a secure future” for all facilities and estates staff.

“By doing this we can develop a successful company which is better placed to work with small and medium-sized businesses locally which are not usually able to work with the NHS due to their size. By growing the business it will also mean we can provide additional employment, training and development for local people,” she said.

“We are committed to giving every member of staff the security of their existing NHS terms and conditions for 25 years and we are currently exploring all legal options available to lock this guarantee. We continue to engage with UNISON and discuss options with them to reach agreement to bring the industrial action to an end.

“NHS Improvement’s endorsement of our proposals to develop the company was not based on the potential tax arrangements but on our business plan which demonstrated a number of significant business opportunities. The long-term development and sustainability of these services for both patients and staff has always been our reason for doing this.

“Our number one priority is to make sure that we provide safe and effective care to our patients, and we continue to do this during the industrial action. Contingency plans are in place and a number of our own staff continue to work, supported by other colleagues.”