Unison today backed moves to ensure staff working under PFI schemes remain employed by the NHS.

At their Health Group Service Executive meeting the union decided in favour of extending the retention of employment model to future PFI hospital schemes.

The decision means that NHS staff such as porters, cleaners, cooks, laundry and security personnel will remain in the NHS.

Forum Response: Unison

Bob Abberley, assistant general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "This agreement marks a step forward in protecting our members and keeping them in the NHS where they belong. For too long they have been at the mercy of privateers in the health service who have consistently driven down their wages, pensions and pay and conditions.

"The model is not perfect but we see the percentage of staff protected as a floor not a ceiling. We will be campaigning to ensure that the number of staff included is increased through local negotiations.

"Neither does the agreement to extend the model detract from Unison's ongoing campaign against PFI. We know that PFI is not good value for money - it is an expensive option because the private sector borrows at higher rates than the public sector, and their profits have to be paid for."