NHS staff are holding protests this week calling on Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn Foundation Trust to reverse the reintroduction of staff parking charges, says UNISON today.
The fees had been scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic but were brought back on 1 April, the same day staff should have received their annual pay rise.
UNISON says the charges mean low-paid cleaners, porters and healthcare assistants could now be taking home less than the minimum wage.
Permits start at £11 a month, rising to £22 for an experienced nurse, and do not even guarantee NHS workers a parking space, says the union.
Staff are protesting every lunchtime this week calling for the trust to rethink.
UNISON QEH branch secretary Sharon Howlett said: “NHS staff shouldn’t have to pay to come to work.
“Our 2024 pay rise is now overdue but instead of trying to help us cope with the cost of living, the trust is increasing the cost of working.
“It’s not too late to reverse this decision.”