Struggling hospital staff are preparing to protest amid claims a foodbank will be needed due to changes in their pay.

Cleaners, caterers and porters at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich are set to demonstrate on Thursday following fears that pay changes could result in them going three weeks without pay.

Many of the lowest paid staff at the hospital are employed by a private company called ISS, which has contracts across the UK.

Staff, who are paid less than the London Living Wage, say a move to fortnightly pay could leave them without vital cash for weeks.

ISS admits the changes could lead to delays but has offered interest-free loans to staff who need them.

The GMB Union says there is so much concern that workers have asked for a foodbank to be set up at the hospital.

Helen O’Connor, GMB regional organiser said: “ISS is an exploitative contractor in the health service and our members are angry at being treated like second-class NHS workers.

“The list of injustices being meted out against ISS workers by their managers appears to be endless and relentless.

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“ISS has no regard for the wellbeing of its workforce and it is beyond belief that low-paid workers can be expected to pay back loans in excess of £300 a month of their own wages so that a multi-million-pound global company like ISS can change their pay cycles.

“GMB met with ISS earlier in the week and advised them to advance wages to their hourly paid workers in order to change the pay cycle but ISS are hell-bent on offering unaffordable loans to workers who are already up to their eyes in debt due to low pay.

“Once again ISS company policies penalise their lowest paid workers while their highly paid management layers get off scot-free.”

Union members at hospitals across south London are preparing to protest over the changes later this week.

A spokesman for ISS told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Currently we operate fifteen different pay cycles which is complex to manage. To prepare us for the transition to the new payroll system, from May 9 we are moving to just one fortnightly pay cycle and one monthly pay cycle.

“We strongly believe this will benefit our employees as it will give more clarity on what an employee will be paid, and when, as there will be more time to check and process pay.

“Changing any payroll system and process has its challenges.

“This change will affect every ISS employee nationally and we are implementing a focused and comprehensive communications plan to ensure that all our people are aware of the change, understand how it will impact them personally, and that they seek the support ISS is offering to help them through the change.”

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The new fortnightly pay cycle will be administered by working 11 days in arrears, whereas the current set up pays between five and nine days.

“We are aware therefore that the first month of change will result in our people waiting longer for their pay than they currently do and we appreciate the concern employees may have.

“We are therefore offering all impacted employees interest-free loans to help smooth the wait and to ensure that individuals have the financial support they need.”

Greenwich and Lewisham NHS Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth, was contacted for comment before publication.