Union blasts firm for not paying Forth Valley Royal Hospital workers their £500 government bonus

The company, which recently announced annual profits of £163 million, was criticised for this “shameful” oversight by union bosses.

A GMB Scotland spokesperson said: “Serco’s failure to give our NHS key workers their ‘thank you’ payment is shameful. They are excluding the likes of cleaners, porters and hospital maintenance in these health board areas – roles vital to the safe running of hospitals and part of the frontline response to COVID-19.

“The Scottish Government was clear that NHS staff employed by PFI contractors should receive the payment, and ministers should be collaring Serco about why they are stalling.”

Serco stated the NHS Boards it works with in Scotland – including NHS Forth Valley – were awaiting final confirmation on the exact eligibility criteria for Serco staff to receive the payment.