Publication from Zack Polanski: Letter to NHS trusts on paying staff the London Living Wage

Dear Sir/Madam,

Paying staff and contractors the London Living Wage

I was recently elected to the London Assembly as a Londonwide Assembly Member, and I am writing on behalf of a number of constituents who are struggling to continue to live and work in our city because they are not receiving the London Living Wage.

These concerns come particularly from the health and care work sector, so I am sending copies of this letter to each of the acute NHS trusts in London.

At the Assembly Plenary meeting on 10 June, during Carers Week, I was delighted that the Assembly passed my motion asking the Mayor to write to all London councils urging them to pay all care workers, both those who are contractors and those directly employed, the London Living Wage.[1]

I know that some acute trusts are already paying the London Living Wage, but I would appreciate assurances from your trust that you are paying it to all employees, and specifically contractors.

If you are not paying everyone the London Living Wage, please write to me to let me know how you plan to close the wage gap and let me know if there is any way that I can support you do this in my capacity as a London Assembly Member.

The coronavirus crisis has been tough on the health and care sector, but I am sure you would agree that the people who work for you, both staff and contractors, are valued members of your organisation and their hard work should be rewarded with a wage they can live on.

We must do better as a society to support those who support us. Healthcare workers are making an enormous sacrifice and are key in our recovery from this pandemic.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

Zack Polanski

Green Party Member of the London Assembly

Notes

[1] Pay care workers the London Living Wage, 10 June 2021 /press-releases/assembly/pay-care-workers-the-london-living-wage

Zack sent letters to Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Below is an example of the letter Zack sent to Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.