Maternity support workers to strike over backpay

The seven-day strike is due to start on 27 August

Maternity support workers in Grimsby are set to strike for a week in a dispute over backpay.

Trade union Unison said the workers were not given an "acceptable offer" for tasks previously carried out above their pay grade.

The workers at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital are due to begin a seven-day walkout at 07:00 BST on 27 August.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust said it was "committed to reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution" with Unison.

Maternity workers on the picket line in Grimsby on 29 July

Unison said staff members who were previously on band two of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale had carried out clinical duties for several years that should have been paid at the higher band three.

It added that staff had been moved up to the higher salary grade but it was "calling on the trust to compensate them for earlier unrewarded work".

Unison Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Ashley Harper said: "Nobody wants to go on strike.

"The staff want to be doing the jobs they’re passionate about, helping bring babies into the world and to give them the best possible start in life.

"The non-executive directors of the trust need to challenge other senior figures at the organisation so an acceptable offer of back pay is made to staff."

'Respect right to strike'

A spokesperson from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust said: "We are committed to reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution with Unison around the backpay for these highly-valued members of staff and we continue to take part in discussions.

"We fully respect their right to strike. Our priority continues to be the safety of the expectant parents and babies in our care, and we will put robust plans together to maintain a safe service during this period of industrial action."