Porters go on 48 hour strike at Royal Berkshire hospital
Hospital says they have continuity plan to cope
Almost 100 Porters at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading are taking 48 hours of strike action.
The GMB union members will down tools at 07:00 on Tuesday 29 September until 07:00 on Thursday 1 October.
The dispute centres around a reduction in overtime rates for some of the lower paid workers in the hospital.
The union say last-ditch talks with ACAS last week produced a fresh offer, which was then rejected by 98 per cent of members.
Poverty
Louis Bryson, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Workers in our communities getting pushed towards poverty is a disgrace, especially such vital healthcare professionals.
“Our members have been forced to take action and for two days there will be no one to carry around heavy medical equipment, no one to take our loved ones to their surgeries and x-rays, and no porters to respond when patients crash.
“Trust Senior Management are penny-pinching the overtime rates of the lowest paid staff, while recruiting another associate director on a six-figure salary just this month.
“There are now 4 executives within the Trust overseeing facilities on six-figure salaries.
“We want members of our NHS community to be treated with respect and paid their dues, but since the Trust has refused, our members have no choice but to stand up for themselves.”
Disappointed
A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said:
"We met with the GMB union and ACAS for a day of talks last week in a bid to settle this dispute and we remain committed to resolve this issue – our porters provide a value service and play a key role in the running of the Trust.
"We are disappointed that a number of our portering team have decided to take industrial action but we respect their right to strike. We have robust business continuity plans in place to ensure we continue to deliver safe patient care during the strike.
"Patients who are due to attend the hospital on 29 September to 1 October are being advised to keep their appointments unless they are contacted by us to make alternate arrangements."