Staff at King Georges Hospital, Ilford, have reacted angrily to the instant dismissal of a trusted colleague. Hospital Porter, Aldren Tomlinson, was told his 15 years loyal service was terminated following a misunderstanding over a £4.00 breakfast.
Local man Mr Tomlinson, a father of three was sacked by Sodexo the facilities company at King George Hospital for theft of company property, the breakfast. Aldren, a man of impeccable character, asked his colleagues in the staff canteen if he could pay for the breakfast later after he discovered he had left his wallet at home. The canteen staff member claims he did not hear Aldren properly.
Michael Dooley GMB local representative said:
“Aldren never tried to hide what he did but it is clear this was a simple misunderstanding for which the company, Sodexo, have not in our view dealt with proportionally. Aldren has a clean work record of 15 years and is now unemployed and branded a thief. It makes my blood boil when I see criminals and repeat shoplifters who do not even get prosecuted and here we have a decent bloke losing his lively hood with little prospects of new employment for a misunderstanding over a four quid breakfast
“Many of his work colleagues are demanding that the union refuse to allow the company to act so unfairly. GMB are meeting with staff to discuss the matter and decide on a course of action. Many staff who know Aldren as an honest man have reacted angrily at the company’s decision to dismiss a hardworking honest colleague.”
Sodexo, Aldren’s employer, say the misunderstanding was the porters own fault. This means Aldren will be labelled as a thief and will struggle to find work to support his three children.
GMB are organising a protest and lobby to demand reinstatement of Aldren Tomlinson.
Dooley GMB local representative said:
“The workforce are extremely angry as what they see is an injustice and GMB are in full agreement. The protest will take place and we are preparing for an industrial action ballot with the full backing of our Sodexo members at the King George Hospital.
“We want to ensure that common sense prevails and Aldren is reinstated with a lesser punishment rather than cause inconvenience to the hospital but it is out of our hands.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
