Dudley Group NHS Trust contract staff on strike again over bonuses

Workers from Unite have been on the picket line at Russells Hall hospital (archive image)

Hundreds of contractors, including cleaners, at a hospital trust are on strike again in a dispute over bonuses paid to NHS staff during the pandemic.

The workers, employed by Mitie, say they did not get a lump sum payment that Dudley Group NHS trust staff got.

The Unison union says NHS staff were paid at least £1,655 to recognise the work they did during Covid.

Mitie and the trust both say they are working to ensure the strike does not disrupt patient care.

Unite union workers have been walking out since December and it emerged earlier this month that Unison staff had voted to join them, with action taking place earlier this month.

The lump sum is based on pay and starts at £1,655 for workers on the lowest wages.

'Care and safety'

Unison has previously said action would be taken by staff "over their employer's refusal" to pay them a sum "that has already been given to hundreds of thousands of people employed by the NHS".

Mitie says it is "an award-winning employer, committed to offering industry leading benefits to all our colleagues".

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Diane Wake said: "As always, maintaining the care and safety of our patients remains our highest priority and we are working closely with all our services to support them with this.

"We value all the work our PFI (private finance initiative) partner staff contribute to the running of our services and the part they play in delivering excellent patient care here at The Dudley Group."