by our industrial reporter @TrinderMatt

OUTSOURCED security guards at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) began a historic six-week strike to fight for pay equality today.

The predominantly black and ethnic minority migrant workers are denied rights enjoyed by their mainly white NHS colleagues at the world-famous children’s hospital, their union, United Voices of the World (UVW) has charged.

The security guards, who are seeking equality over sick pay, overtime, annual leave, enhanced maternity cover and pensions, are employed by Carlisle Support Services, owned by billionaire Tory donor Lord Ashcroft.

In 2019, the firm generated revenues of £65 million and a profit of £6m.  

UVW stressed that the workers had gone “above and beyond their duties” during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep people safe, even helping overwhelmed medical staff to move patients in and around the hospital.

A four-day strike in December was met with “vindictive union-busting tactics, intimidation and the cancelling of some of the strikers’ overtime shifts without explanation,” the union said.  

It slammed the NHS’s two-tier system as an example of “structural racism and unlawful indirect race discrimination.”

UVW general secretary Petros Elia said: “The CEO and other board members of Gosh have treated the security guards with contempt.

“That’s why our members have declared one of the longest strikes in the history of the NHS: 43 consecutive days. And they will strike for longer if they have to.

“Our members have UVW’s full backing until they get the dignity and respect they deserve.”

A spokesperson for the hospital said it would attempt to minimise disruption to the children, young people and families who rely on the site.

Carlisle Support Services was contacted for comment.