RTUC Joins Protest at Frimley Health NHS Trust

On 21 August 2019, Berkshire County Trades Association, represented by delegates from Reading Trades Union Council and Slough Trades Council, supported Unison, GMB and Unite members of Frimley Health NHS Trust in a protest against privatisation proposals.

Margery Thorogood (left, GMB/STUC) and David
McMullen (2ndright, GMB/RTUC)

The Trust's Deputy Chief Executive, Janet King (Janet.king18@nhs.net), attempted to brief staff at Wexham Park Hospital on proposals to create a wholly owned, arm's length subsidiary which would see non-clinical jobs at Wexham, Frimley and Heatherwood hospitals transferred from the NHS to a new company, affecting around 1000 staff. Her attempt to exclude trade union organisers from the briefing, however, led to a walk out by trade unionist members.

RTUC banner greets workers assembling in protest

The GMB Southern Region report of the meeting can be found here: https://www.gmb-southern.org.uk/news/gmb-members-walk-out-of-frimley-health-nhs-trust-privatisation-meeting.

The 'Morning Star' reports employer repression by Trust management here: https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/union-reps-physically-assaulted-by-senior-management-at-frimley-health-nhs-foundation-trust-privatisation-meeting-gmb-claims.

In addition to the principled opposition health privatisation, the trade unions, including GMB, Unite and Unison, fear the transfer will lead to job losses and worsened terms and conditions.

GMB members have staged lunch-time demonstrations against the plans and have launched a consultative ballot on the plans.

Reading Trades Union Council's banner joined the flags and banners of other trade unions, proudly sported by the RTUC secretary, Dave McMullen (GMB).