NHS contractor 'sorry' for wage errors

Private firm Sodexo has also met the GMB union over a rampant redundancy programme which is being resisted with a ballot on industrial action.

As reported in the Morning Star on Tuesday 700 workers, including cleaners, porters, housekeepers and catering staff, whose jobs at Brighton and Sussex NHS University Trust were transferred to Sodexo in December, have been dismayed at a catalogue of errors in their wages ever since.

In a letter to GMB members Sodexo Healthcare managing director Simon Scrivens said: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to anybody who has experienced a problem and for the frustration and anxiety this has caused."

He blamed incorrect bank details, incorrect overtime calculations and delays in managers approving payments for work done for the payment problems.

"None of these are acceptable," Mr Scrivens added and promised to "resolve these issues quickly and effectively."

GMB organiser Gary Palmer said Sodexo's apology was a first step "but words are cheap and we now need to see action.

"The company must now keep to their promise to ensure that staff are properly paid and compensated for their losses. They must also revisit their redundancy programme."

The workers decided to ballot on industrial action and the result is due on Friday.