PICTURES of workers striking for equal pay have been branded ‘offensive’ by health bosses who ordered their removal from a notice board in Whipps Cross Hospital.
The pictures of porters, catering staff and cleaners protesting were, without warning, taken down from a union board in the main corridor of the Leytonstone hospital.
The low paid staff won the right to equal pay following a three-year fight, which began in 2003 and included five strikes.
The hospital trust is currently re-tendering the contract for these services.
But bosses recently ordered the removal of the pictures and when staff asked for an explanation they were told it was because the pictures were “political and offensive”.
Unison’s Charlotte Monro said: “There was no prior discussion with Unison.
“(The pictures) have now been returned to the Unison office and we are talking to the trust about the unions’ rights to freedom of speech to represent their members.
“Whipps Cross health workers are very committed to the hospital and to the patients we care for.
“We have a proud history of speaking out when it is most needed not just in defence of our rights but the right of our communities to the best healthcare - as did the consultants, nurses, therapists, porters when they addressed 800 people at the two public meetings that launched the campaign to save Whipps Cross, back in 2006.
“This is not something we will change, more so when our health serviced is now again under pressure.”
A spokeswoman for Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, said: “The trust has a good partnership and working relationship with its union colleagues and fully supports information being displayed in relevant areas, including those accessible to the public where appropriate.
“Information displayed in areas easily accessible to the general public needs to reflect current issues and priorities within the Trust.
The photos displayed in the cabinets in question were located along the main hospital corridor and did not meet these guidelines. “They have therefore been moved to a more suitable location.”
Strikes began in 2003, but continued until 2006 after the failure of the hospital trust’s contractor to implement an agreed pay deal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel