Nearly 400 essential facilities staff at St Helier and Epsom hospitals in the UK have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay and conditions, delivering what their union has described as a “historic” ballot result.

The United Voices of the World (UVW) members – most of whom are from migrant and minority ethnic backgrounds – recorded an 81% turnout, with 98% voting in favour of industrial action. They are employed directly by the National Health Service (NHS) but remain outside Agenda for Change (AfC; the national pay and grading system for NHS staff) terms and conditions, despite being brought back in-house more than four years ago.

Workers say they earn over £1 per hour less than AfC colleagues, receive no enhancements for nights or weekends, have lower pension contributions (3% compared with over 23%), and up to two weeks less annual leave. They are demanding parity on wages, sick pay, pensions and leave.

“This positive ballot result is the beginning of what’s to come,” said Leon Broughton, a porter at St Helier. “The Trust refused to listen to us for too long, but we are proving we are united. They can’t ignore us any longer.”

Dennis Gyamfi, a cleaner at Epsom, added: “We’re one team, and the Trust can’t keep giving certain people better salaries and pensions while treating the rest of us differently. I’ll be out there on the picket line with my family by my side.”

The strike – the first in the hospitals’ recent history – follows a public confrontation with the Trust board last month. Dates for the walkout will be announced shortly.

UVW General Secretary Petros Elia said: “This massive 98% Yes vote sends a message that can no longer be ignored. These workers are not asking for more than others – they’re demanding what’s rightfully theirs. They are NHS workers in every respect, yet they’re treated as second-class. That’s not just unjust – it’s discriminatory.”

Elia warned the union would “back them every step of the way until victory”.

The ITIJ team recently spoke to global healthcare leaders about how they’re redefining staff retention through purpose-driven culture, wellbeing initiatives, and meaningful career development.