WORKERS at one of Britain’s biggest NHS trusts are set for a double-digit, inflation-busting pay boost, thanks to another victory for Unite.

The health union announced today that Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs five hospitals across London, has agreed to bring 29 linen and laundry staff, currently outsourced to Synergy, in-house from May next year.

The deal follows a separate agreement earlier this year to transfer 1,800 porters and other workers employed by contractor Serco to the trust’s payroll by February 1.

All the workers, including the laundry staff, who are mainly ethnic minority people, are now in line to benefit from the enhanced pay and working conditions available to directly employed health service staff.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has secured another victory for outsourced workers at Barts.

“Not only will workers get a pay boost up to 17 per cent, they will also get NHS terms and conditions going forward.

“This agreement is yet another example of Unite winning on jobs, pay and conditions.”

Regional officer Tabusam Ahmed added: “Unite is successfully building on its earlier victory.

“The union has now struck another blow against the race to the bottom in the NHS.

“This is a clear message to other NHS employers: Unite will continue to campaign to bring outsourced workers back in-house.”

Unions have long called for an end to outsourcing, arguing that it allows bosses to exploit workers, hold down pay and duck their responsibilities.

Unite confirmed that the laundry employees have also elected five union reps, one for each hospital across the trust.