Strikes at Nottinghamshire hospitals called off

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust runs King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital and Newark Hospital

Strike action at three Nottinghamshire hospitals has been called off after an agreement was reached.

Support staff employed by private contractor Medirest at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were due to walk out on Thursday and Friday in a dispute over pay.

However, the GMB union said the walkouts at King’s Mill, Mansfield Community and Newark Hospital have been suspended.

Workers will now take part in a ballot to have their say over future industrial action, with a result expected later, the union said.

The workers - who previously went on strike earlier this year over Covid bonus payments - included porters, cleaners, and security staff.

Organiser Cameron Mitchell said the campaign "has shown just how vital they are to the day-to-day running of our hospitals and services”.

A spokesperson for Medirest said: “We highly value the work of all our people.

“We are pleased that the planned strikes this week have been suspended, and we remain committed to constructively engaging with the Union and its members moving forward.”

The company added that all of its employees received a separate pay uplift for 2023/24, funded by the trust.

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