Barnsley Hospital staff begin ballot on industrial action after 'fire and rehire' threat
Around 600 staff are weighing up whether or not to go on strike
Last updated 27th Jan 2026
More than 600 members of staff at Barnsley Hospital are voting on whether or not to strike, after alleging the hospital trust wants to 'fire and rehire them' on worse terms.
The GMB claims the trust wants to impose new contacts on staff including nurses, technicians and clerical staff.
New conditions would remove paid breaks.
Rachel Dix, GMB Organiser said: "These frontline NHS workers already work long hours in incredibly stressful jobs."
“This move from Barnsley Trust managers is a demoralising and unfair attack on their terms and conditions.
'GMB members have been absolutely clear they will not accept this attack on their well-earned break times and will stand up to the appalling threat of fire and rehire.'
“It's time for Barnsley Trust to back down on these proposals before hospital services are badly disrupted.”
A Barnsley Hospital spokesperson said: “These proposals would bring the Trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital Trusts and with the national NHS terms and conditions that were agreed some years ago by Trade Unions and the NHS."
"It would provide more staff on duty for patients and reduce reliance on temporary staff.
"Evidence shows this would improve patient care and safety, support staff wellbeing, reduce healthcare costs and improve staff retention.
"The Trust has undertaken eight months of consultation with affected staff and trade unions and these discussions continue.
"The GMB has not notified the Trust, as it is required to do, of its intention to undertake a ballot for industrial action.
"Staff wellbeing is a priority for the Trust. Ensuring colleagues have adequate rest breaks is essential to mitigate fatigue and maintain health.
"We remain committed to appropriate breaks in line with best practice and national NHS terms and conditions.
"This process was driven by our commitment to fairness and consistency, addressing long-standing informal arrangements and variations in how breaks were taken across departments, which raised concerns about equity among other staff groups with unpaid breaks.”