Pay: GMB win 25% pay deal from outsourcing giant Compass Group

Hundreds of hospital workers at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow have won a pay rise worth up to 25% after strike action. The workers are employed by Medirest, which holds the facilities contract for the London Northwest Healthcare Trust.

Medirest is part of Compass Group, a global outsourcing company employing over half a million people. Compass Group’s profits were up 26.1% in 2023 to £1.9 billion, and their contract with the trust is worth almost £20 million a year. Medirest had denied workers a £1,300 payment that was received by directly employed NHS staff.

The dispute has ended after five days of strike action, with victories on pay and conditions: pay at the London Living Wage (£13.15 an hour); improved leave and sick pay; a lump sum payment of £1,655; negotiations on equalising terms; and full recognition of the GMB across the NHS trust.

Bhimraj Rai, GMB rep at Northwick Park, said: “GMB members have spent months negotiating and weeks on the picket line, but we have never accepted that workers should be paid less or receive different treatment for doing the same job.” He continued: “Hundreds of low-paid staff will receive a pay rise of up to 25 per cent and fairer terms and conditions.

There are more than three million outsourced workers in the UK, usually facing worse pay and conditions than directly employed staff.