FORMAL GRIEVANCE ON CONQUEST PARKING

Unison has taken up the cause and said staff are furious at the parking charges and has warned of 'serious consequences for labour relations' for the NHS Trust which runs the hospital.

The union has argued the charges are unfair to low-paid staff and that the way the Trust plans to collect penalty charges is against the Data Protection Act.

A letter to the HR director of East Sussex Hospitals Trust states, "The charge of 50p per day may not seem to be much to senior managers of the Trust on the salaries they receive, but for the many low-paid members of staff this is a significant cost.

"In order to meet the charge they will have to earn approximately 70p more before deductions. This will effectively wipe out this year's pay rise for them."

Full-time staff had been told they would have to pay 50p per day to park at the DGH and it was estimated it would raise 200,000 per year for the Trust, which is under pressure to cut costs.

But now the staff complaints have been listed in a formal grievance by the union and sent to managers at the Trust.

The union also said workers are worried about the effect of staff parking in nearby roads and problems it would cause for local residents.

It is also critical of the way the Trust has handled the issue.

"In view of the failure to resolve the anger that staff are feeling through consultation and negotiation, means of expressing this anger are likely to emerge which may have serious consequences for labour relations in the Trust."

As a result of the grievance, the hospital has been forced to suspend the charges until at least December 11, when managers meet with the union and staff.

The Trust has confirmed a grievance hearing will be heard on December 11.

David Philliskirk, director of estates and facilities, said, "The Trust recognises its responsibility to operate within the guidelines set out in its own policies which have been prepared and agreed with staff side, and we also value the positive relationships we have with them.

"We have therefore considered this collective grievance and have accepted that the 'status quo' should apply up to the date of the grievance hearing on December 11."