Victory sealed at Whipps X
WORKERS, NOV 2006 ISSUE
Successful negotiations by Unison organisers following on the 8 days of strike action over the summer have seen the conclusion of the Whipps Cross Hospital dispute in London. The unified membership has delivered the goal of the dispute – the implementation of the 2003 Agenda for Change local agreement. They have increased Unison membership to more than 98 per cent among the cleaners, porters, catering and switchboard staff.
The Whipps workers maintained their unity and cohesion despite all the pressure and provocation from the employer. The battle now is to get the contract brought back in house and send Initial Hospital Services (Rentokil) packing. Unison has ensured that details of the successful outcome have been forwarded to all NHS trusts where Initial has contracts.
Whipps Cross: now the battle is on to save the hospital Photo: Workers
Meanwhile, the entire hospital is under threat of closure – not yet announced, but not denied – as the government scrambles for savings. A lively campaign to save the hospital, led by the unions, has begun in the north east London borough of Waltham Forest.