Serco accused of using 'strong-arm tactics' at Scottish NHS board that leaves workers 'openly crying'

A multi-national outsourcing firm has been accused of using "strong-arm tactics" to try to force workers in a Scottish NHS board to accept a change to their contracts.

Serco wants to move hundreds of employees at NHS Forth Valley from weekly to monthly pay. But the trade union Unite has warned this could plunge some of its members into debt.

It said the move will affect around 600 low-paid cleaners, porters, catering staff and others. One employee recently told the Falkirk Herald the vast majority of the workforce “feel we are getting coerced into this”.

They said many depend on weekly pay, adding: “I have seen colleagues openly crying as they don’t know how to deal with this.”

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In a letter to staff, seen by The Scotsman, Serco said the proposed change “will improve accuracy of pay for employees and improve the payroll service across the business” by simplifying the system.

The firm said it wanted a “meaningful consultation process, which will include listening to any concerns and looking at recommendations with a view to reach an agreement on the proposed changes”.

But the company added: “We also need to make sure that all employee representatives are aware that, should we decide to go ahead with the proposed variation, the organisation may look to end current agreement and re-engage employees who do not agree to the variation on the new terms and conditions following full and thorough consultation.

“However, this will be a consideration only after we have gone through a meaningful consultation process and carefully considered any recommendations and concerns.”

Unite said this amounted to a threat of “fire and rehire”.

Carrie Binnie, the union’s industrial officer, said: "Serco are attempting to force our members at NHS Forth Valley from being paid on a weekly basis to a monthly one.

“This is not an insignificant administrative change because in practice what this means is family budgets being disrupted, with some members already telling us that this will force them into debt.

"The Serco proposal is causing widespread concern, with around 600 workers going to be impacted. The company is ignoring how detrimental this proposal could be for the lowest paid workers within the NHS.

“Serco have used strong-arm tactics with the threat of fire and rehire, stating that workers needed to agree to the change or new contracts could be imposed on them."

A recent survey by Unison found 86 per cent of Serco employees did not feel well informed about the proposal, while 67 per cent said moving to monthly pay would cause financial difficulties.

GMB Scotland represents hundreds of Serco staff in the health board and Karen Leonard, the union’s organiser in NHS Scotland, said the proposed payroll changes had caused needless anxiety.

She said: “These changes have been solely driven by what suits the company with the potential impact on staff, some of the most important workers in the NHS, being given no consideration whatsoever.

“The proposals have caused huge uncertainty but also generated real anger and a determination to ensure the voice of these workers is not only heard but acted on. Serco must suspend then halt these changes. If it does not, our members are absolutely united in their opposition.”

A Serco spokeswoman said: “We are currently consulting with colleagues about changing the frequency of their pay from weekly to monthly. Our commitment is to hold meaningful consultation, exploring all reasonable alternatives to reach agreement.

“There is no intention for contracts of employment to be terminated. We are conscious that this change will impact some colleagues and are offering continued support as well as communicating extensively throughout the consultation process.”

It is understood the change is primarily aimed at standardising the firm’s payroll process to a monthly cycle, ensuring consistency. Discussions with trade unions at a national level have been taking place since April.