Leeds operating theatre staff to strike for five days in pay dispute
It comes after similar walkouts earlier this month and last December
Last updated 12th Feb 2026
NHS staff in operating theatres across Leeds are set to go on strike next week as part of their ongoing pay dispute.
Theatre assistants, who are members of UNISON, will walk out for five days starting Monday (February 16).
Staff are demanding their wages be boosted, alongside compensation for the additional duties they claim to be undertaking, such as cleaning sterile environments and assisting with complex machinery.
The upcoming strike follows previous action, including a five-day walkout earlier in February and a 48-hour strike last December.
UNISON argues that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's refusal to provide equitable pay is inconsistent with standards set by other hospital trusts nationwide.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside area organiser Imogen Woods said: “Staff have made it clear that they’re determined to secure the money they’re owed.
“Managers can easily prevent this latest strike from happening by getting back round the table.
“Workers don’t want to be out in the cold – they want to be doing the jobs they care about, making sure some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds receive the quality care they deserve. But they need to be paid fairly.”
Dr Magnus Harrison, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are continuing to work closely with theatre colleagues to minimise disruption to patients during the periods of strike action. We remain committed to ensuring all colleagues feel valued and able to raise their concerns."