Healthcare assistants to strike for fourth time

Staff at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital are among those taking industrial action

Hundreds of healthcare assistants are set to strike for the fourth time amid a dispute over pay.

Health workers at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are preparing to strike from 10 June for five days, and from 17 June for 48 hours.

Unison claims healthcare assistants have carried out unpaid clinical work and are entitled to several years' worth of back pay.

The trusts said they would provide pay to staff but only from July 2021, when the "government clarified elements of the role of healthcare assistants".

The rebrand found most healthcare assistants should be moved from salary band two to band three.

Both trusts said they were "committed" to moving "all eligible staff" up a band, and have been "working closely with trade union colleagues" to develop their offer.

"We are committed to no detriment. No colleagues will lose out," a spokesperson said.

Staff formed a picket line during five days of strike action in May

However, Unison claims hospitals knew staff were carrying out clinical work, such as taking blood and inserting cannulas, before July 2021 and is demanding further pay.

Clinical work is carried out by health care assistants on salary band three but Unison claims staff on the lower band were also asked to do the work.

Clare Williams, Unison's northern regional secretary, said: "Healthcare assistants have done unpaid clinical work for years and it’s time for the employers to talk with the union to find a fair level of back pay."

This is the fourth time healthcare assistants have taken strike action during the dispute, with the last walk out in May.

Ms Williams called on the employers to "do the decent thing and get around the negotiating table".

The trusts did not wish to comment further.

The strikes will take place at the following hospitals:

• University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton-on-Tees

• University Hospital of Hartlepool, Hartlepool

• James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough

• Friarage Hospital, Northallerton

• Redcar Primary Care Hospital, Redcar

• East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital, Brotton

• Friary Community Hospital, Richmond

Patients have been advised to "use services wisely" during the strikes, and the trusts have encouraged people to check on "vulnerable family members and neighbours".