Unite members working for Kingdom Services Group, the subcontract security firm at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, undertook five days of strike action between 14 and 18 December over a pay dispute which is set to escalate in the new year.
Supported by RTUC delegates Tanya Wills, James Parker (both Unite Community), John Gillman (Unite Bracknell) and Matt Callow (Unite Oxford Health) on the picket line, the 'David and Goliath' pay battle pits 23 security staff against a multinational employer. As stated by Unite Regional Officer, Jesika Parmarthe, workers are seeking £12 an hour for security officers and £13 an hour for security supervisors from a global organisation with a £100 million annual turnover (Berkshire Chronicle, 16 December).
In addition to a pay rise, Unite is seeking harmonisation of sick pay and enhanced pay for staff working nights, weekends and overtime. The decision to strike received 100% support from Unite members.
Jesika castigated "Kingdom Services Group for its involvement in using agency staff to undermine a legitimate industrial dispute which we are legally challenging". Utilising scab labour will only increase the resolve of the exploited workforce. As a frontline workforce, daily exposed to the risks or COVID19, the security staff's £8.89 to £9.89 per hour is an insult. By the close of the week's industrial action, the employer remained unprepared to engage in meaningful negotiations with Unite.
In a statement to the Morning Star, Jesika noted: "The last few days of strike action have been very successful with a great deal of support from the public and Reading local councillors".
On 22 December, following adequate time for Kingdom Services Group to reach out for meaningful talks, Unite announced that the staff will be "striking over 20 days during January and February" (Unite the Union News and Events, 22 December).
During the week of 4 to 8 January 2021, the Unite pickets reconvened, the strike remaining solid.
The next strike will commence at 07:00 on 1 February 2021 and the full schedule of strike action is as follows:
From 07:00 on 1 February until 19.00 on 5 February;
From 07:00 on 8 February until 19.00 on 12 February.
