Airedale Hospital workers hand in petition signed by 7,000 people in pensions dispute

More than 200 staff at Airedale Hospital are to walk out next Tuesday as part of their campaign to receive NHS pensions.

The entrance to Airedale Hospital in Steeton
Author: Alan Jones, PAPublished 16th Jan 2026
Last updated 16th Jan 2026

Hospital workers were handing in a 7,000-strong petition to their employer on Friday ahead of a week-long strike in a dispute over pensions.

More than 200 staff at Airedale Hospital in Keighley, Yorkshire, including porters, domestic staff, catering teams, and security personnel, will walk out next Tuesday as part of their campaign to receive NHS pensions.

They were outsourced to AGH Solutions (AGHS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, in 2018.

The GMB said they suffered inequality after the move.

GMB official Joe Wheatley said: "The strength of feeling and support for GMB members at the hospital has been overwhelming.

"As we gear up for the next round of industrial action, it's not too late for Airedale bosses to see sense and return to the negotiating table to resolve the pension debacle."

The hospital trust declined to comment.

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