ILL workers are bringing germs into schools and hospitals because they don’t receive sick pay, a union has claimed.
Unison is concerned that catering and cleaning staff are struggling to work when they should take the day off.
General secretary Dave Prentis called on private companies to pay the same sick pay as public bodies such as councils and the NHS.
He said: “It cannot be right that these massive multi-national companies can make huge profits but still cheat workers out of basic terms like sick pay.
“Cleaners and dinner ladies in schools and hospitals are paid at or just above the minimum wage.
“Many of them also struggle into work when they are sick, risking both their own health and the health of people around them.
“This is particularly true in hospitals where vulnerable patients may be put at risk of catching infections,” added Mr Prentis.
But Kirklees Unison branch secretary Paul Holmes said yesterday that the problem was not an issue here because Kirklees Council did not use a high number of agency staff.
