Hospital staff set to strike for three more days

Members of the GMB union will strike for three more days in October

Hospital workers are set to strike for three more days next month in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

More than 150 staff at Airedale Hospital in Steeton, Keighley, are to walk out on 1, 2 and 3 October, the GMB union said.

The workers include porters, domestics, catering and security staff who are employed by AGH Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

AGH Solutions said it was disappointed not to be able to reach an agreement with the union but it remains open to future discussions.

Staff say the company does not honour NHS terms and conditions, including pensions, sick pay rates, annual leave and Sunday working enhancements.

GMB members at the site also walked out between 12 and 16 September.

Jon Wilson, Assistant Director of Facilities at AGH Solutions said: "We offer very competitive AGHS pay, terms and conditions which continue to attract talented individuals to the company and provide valuable opportunities for local employment.

"Offering our own terms and conditions means that we have more flexibility in being able to offer competitive rates of pay, particularly for skilled tradespeople where the NHS terms and conditions would be more unbending."

He added: "We are committed to continue working in partnership with our trade union partners and we remain open to future discussions."

Those affected include porters, catering and security staff

GMB organiser Joe Wheatley said: "Despite significant disruption to the hospital, the trust's management still refuse to have a grown-up discussion around our members' issues.

"It can't be right these vital workers are treated worse than their colleagues in the same hospital.

"It makes no sense and it's morally repugnant.

"The last thing they want to do is go on strike again – but their voices must be heard."

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