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Hundreds of low-paid hospital workers have been left unable to cover household bills after a major firm withheld their wages.

Union officials have blasted major facilities provider ISS for behaving "recklessly," after an upgrade to its payroll systems meant workers will effectively lose a week's pay.

The firm is contracted to provide around 600 cleaners, caterers and porters across the Royal Liverpool Hospital , Broadgreen Hospital and the Walton Centre - but the company also has contracts across the UK.

The problem follows the decision to move staff who are paid weekly onto fortnightly pay, meaning they will not receive the first week's wages until they eventually leave the company.

The company has offered "bridging loans" to cover the shortfall, but the loan must be paid back within four weeks.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't know what to do, I can't afford to pay the loan back. I'm going to have to forego that week's wages.

"There's nothing much I can do, I have no family to support me."

Another worker said: "A lot of us are going to be short, we are already living hand to mouth. They forget we are already some of the lowest paid, we are not far above minimum wage."

Maria Moss, UNISON North West Regional Organiser, told the ECHO: "ISS is behaving recklessly with workers’ pay. Most staff are only on the minimum wage and don't have savings to tide them over.

"Withholding pay for a week or more threatens their ability to feed their families and pay bills and rent. What might seem like a simple change in pay date to ISS could have a very serious and life-changing impact on low-paid workers’ lives."

UNISON said it was being joined by Unite and GMB officials in submitting grievances to ISS, and meetings were planned with company managers this week.

Ms Moss added: "ISS must make sure staff aren't without money when the new pay arrangements are introduced. Loans must be easily accessible and workers shouldn't be expected to repay them in just four weeks.

"The pay changes mean hundreds of low-paid staff will only get some of the wages they're due when they leave. This is money staff are due for hours already worked.

"ISS needs to think again and not go any further until it's satisfied no staff will suffer any detriment or hardship as a result."

Debbie Herring, director of workforce at the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust, said: "The Trust contract ISS for a variety of services including porters, cleaning and catering.

"The planned changes do not involve any Trust employees. We expect ISS to fully support its staff through these changes."

The Walton Centre declined to comment on the issue.

ISS told the ECHO: "As part of our continuing improvement to our systems and processes, ISS is investing, replacing, and upgrading, our current payroll system and process.

"The new system will, most importantly, help us improve our service to employees, whilst enabling us to offer the most up-to-date payroll, employee vetting and labour management services.

"The change in payroll system is a large and complex process affecting many ISS employees so we are currently delivering a comprehensive communications and engagement campaign to ensure that all our people are aware and ready for the change.

"The first month of the new process will result in some employees waiting slightly longer for their pay than they currently do, so we are offering interest-free bridging loans to help.

"Whilst we are aware that employees will be embarking upon change, we are offering financial and emotional support and giving the opportunity for people to discuss any issues directly with us, to help minimise any discomfort the employees may feel as a result of the change."