大象传媒

Hospital workers begin latest strike action

A sign reading 'Pay Fair for patient care' on the floor by a staff picket lines feetImage source, 大象传媒/Mark Norman
Image caption,

More than 350 staff at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are taking part in the strikes

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Workers at three hospitals in the south east of England have begun a third period of industrial action.

More than 350 nursing assistants at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are taking part in strikes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, in a dispute over back pay, after the trust offered to change their salary band.

Unison union members at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, Crawley Hospital and Horsham Hospital said they had been working beyond their pay grade for years.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said it respected the "right to strike" but was "disappointed" its offer had not been accepted and action was taking place "whilst the grievance process is ongoing".

Strike action was previously taken by staff in two separate periods in July.

Unison said 98% of nursing assistants backed strike action in a formal ballot but "there may be a resolution to the dispute soon".

It said a meeting with trust managers was held last week and the dispute might be resolved with "further talks".

However, it said that despite progress in negotiations, a "satisfactory" offer on back pay had not been received.

Unison South East regional organiser Rachel Slaughter said: 鈥淟ast week saw a step in the right direction.

"For the first time in this dispute, hospital managers are showing a willingness to find a resolution."

She said nursing assistants could be "proud of what they鈥檝e achieved" so far.

She added: "There鈥檚 been a genuine acknowledgement from their bosses that they鈥檝e been carrying out duties above their grade for years and that the issue needs to be sorted as soon as possible.

鈥淣ow that just needs to be that reflected with an offer on back pay.

"Nobody wants to see a prolonged industrial dispute.鈥

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