Maintenance Sector Committee notes

Ancillary & maintenance

Ancillary and maintenance workers provide the support services enabling the delivery of our National Health Service.

UNISON has over 70,000 members working in ancillary and maintenance jobs within the UK. The largest group within this sector consists of cleaning staff, who are predominantly female and earn the lowest pay in the health service.

This sector covers a wide range of support roles, including: Cleaners,Porters,Caterers,Sterile service assistants,Laundry workers,and Maintenance staff.

Issues

UNISON has been instrumental in bringing the campaign for a decent and fair living wage for ancillary and maintenance staff to a national audience.

UNISON has championed the cause of low paid ancillary and maintenance workers since its inception in 1993. The eradication of low pay remains the key campaigning issue within this sector.

Many of our members within this sector have been transferred out of the NHS to work for the increasing number of private contractors who have taken over the provision of cleaning, catering and maintenance services within our hospitals and health centres.

UNISON takes a twin track approach to private contractors - voicing strong opposition to contracting out these vital services, whilst trying to ensure that members who work for contractors receive fair treatment and trade union representation.

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