Unite raises concerns over controversial estates director Kathryn Magson who was previously slammed by an employment tribunal

South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust estates staff will strike later this month over unequal pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The workers, including joiners, electricians, plumbers and painter and decorators, are on different pay grades – ranging from band three to band five.

Some workers are on band three despite doing exactly the same job as colleagues on band five and having worked in those roles for up to 25 years.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The two-tier workforce created by the trust needs to go – workers doing the same job must be paid the same wage. These workers have Unite’s total support in striking to right this wrong.”

Unite also raised concerns about the trust’s controversial director of strategic performance Kathryn Magson, who has responsibility for estates.

Ms Magson was previously the Isle of Man’s department of health and social care executive director. During an employment tribunal for the wrongful dismissal of the island’s former chief medic for whistleblowing during Covid, judges described Ms Magson as ‘spiteful’ and ‘self-serving’ and said her behaviour in misleading the tribunal was ‘inexcusable’.

In her current role, a number of staff have reported to Unite that they consider Ms Magson's management style to be bullying. Under Ms Magson’s leadership, the trust is also insisting that 70 per cent of staff agreed during consultations to changes that meant they have to hold an NVQ Level Three to receive equal pay. This claim is untrue, which is why 97 per cent of workers voted in favour of strike action.

Unite regional officer Maz Ebrahim said: “Unite is raising concerns about Kathyn Magson’s leadership because industrial relations at the trust are deteriorating. This dispute will escalate unless the trust starts telling the truth, treats these workers with respect and ends the injustice around equal pay.”

“The strike action will inevitably cause disruption to patients at the trust, but it has years to resolve these problems and has refused to do so.”

Strike action will take place from 28 July to 3 August, resulting in disruption to estates and maintenance services at Bethlam Royal, Lambeth, Lewisham and Maudsley hospitals. Further strike dates will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.