Southampton General Hospital security staff begin strike

Security staff said in the past three years they had suffered broken ribs, noses and fingers, had needle injuries and been strangled and spat at

Security staff at Southampton General Hospital's A&E department have begun a 24-hour strike in a dispute over safety, pay and sick leave conditions.

Employees of Mitie Security have walked out over what they claim is a lack of protective equipment and inadequate payments for staff injured at work.

Union Unite said 21 members also began an overtime ban and planned a further seven strikes in April, May, and June.

Mitie said it had improved its pay offer and its uniforms.

Scott Kemp, regional Unite officer, said staff only received two weeks' full pay and then two weeks' half-pay if they were injured at work

It said it had offered staff a "sizeable pay increase" to £9 per hour, it would double the amount of sick pay and had provided some protection equipment with further tests planned.

Talks with conciliation service Acas broke down last week.

It said despite this, Unite had been "unwilling" to enter further talks in a bid to postpone the strike.

'Strangled and scratched'

The union said staff were regularly being attacked by members of the public, either under the influence of drink or drugs, or with mental health problems.

It has called for personal protection gear such as stab vests and safety restraints, six months' full-pay followed by six months' half-pay for all sickness absences and "transparent investigations" into any attacks

A security guard at the hospital, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC: "We've been punched in the face, we've been kicked, we've been stomped on, we've been strangled, scratched. We've had people spit in our eye. Other guards I've seen have had broken ribs.

"My concern is not if, but when, is one of us going to get stabbed because of the level of violence happening on a week to week, day to day, basis at the moment?"

Scott Kemp, regional Unite officer, said although Mitie was prepared to look at stab vests it had not agreed a timescale for their introduction and there was "no guarantee" they would be approved by the trust.

The hospital said it had been reassured that Mitie would maintain its security service during the strike

In a statement, Mitie said: "In addition to the investment already made in body worn cameras, safety gauntlets and the gloves recently issued, the site team had already tested additional body worn protection with further trials due to take place imminently.

"Ensuring the safety of patients and members of the public visiting the hospital remains paramount.

"We have arranged for a fully trained team of officers with relevant experience to provide cover onsite to maintain a usual level of service [during the strike]."

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said the trust had been "reassured" Mitie would maintain its security service during the strike and hoped the firm and the union could resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.

Further 24-hour strikes are due to be held on 19 April and 24 May. There is also a planned 48-hour stoppage starting on 3 May and a 72-hour strike planned for 7 June.