Healthcare workers from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals to strike over pay row
A 48-hour strike begins today at Blackpool Victoria, Clifton and Fleetwood hospitals
Over 400 healthcare workers from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are striking today, according to UNISON.
It comes as workers feel as though they are underpaid as 'Band 2' workers, despite carrying out 'Band 3' level jobs. This includes taking bloods, testing urine and dong ECG heart monitoring.
One Band 2 Healthcare worker, Siobhan, says that the tasks she carries out at work aren't in her job description.
"I think the strikes will continue if the Trust doesn't change their mind. As healthcare workers we need to be valued more, because if you look after them, we'll look after you."
The trust has acknowledged that healthcare workers do perform extra duties above their pay grade and will provide back pay accordingly. However, Unison says that senior managers are withholding some of the money owed to staff.
Unison North West regional manager Dan Smith said:
“It’s outrageous the trust is refusing to pay staff properly for all the extra work they’ve done.
“Healthcare assistants have been working above their pay grade for years, in some cases decades. It’s only right they’re fairly compensated.
“Hospital managers need to recognise the strength of feeling on this issue. They should follow the example of other trusts in the region and stop trying to claw back money their employees are entitled to.”
Maggie Oldham, Chief Executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals has provided a statement in response:
"It's very disappointing that strike action has been confirmed by Unison, especially as we have agreed to increase and backdate pay for eligible Health Care Assistants (HCAs), in line with NHS terms and conditions.
“It is telling that the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has responded positively and is putting the deal to its members.
“What Unison has asked for is outside of standard NHS terms and would leave our Trust with a multi-million-pound bill it cannot pay.
“We value our HCAs, they play a vital role in the care we provide but we cannot agree to these unreasonable demands.”