Leicester hospitals healthcare staff to strike in back pay row

Across the trust, 94.46% of those balloted backed strike action, said Unison

Hundreds of healthcare assistants are to strike over 10 days in a pay row.

Unison said workers at three Leicester hospitals are to walk out in five strikes in April and May.

The University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust has increased pay for healthcare assistants on salary band two; however, the union's demand for back pay has not been met, Unison said.

UHL said it was "disappointing" Unison was calling for workers to strike when discussions had not concluded.

NHS guidance states band two healthcare assistants should provide personal care, such as bathing and feeding patients, but most have routinely been undertaking clinical tasks, like taking blood and inserting cannulas, Unison said.

UHL has identified people carrying out the more complex duties, and moved them to band three.

However, Unison has demanded the trust back pays the staff to 2018.

'Find a compromise'

Five walkouts, all starting at 07:00, are due to happen at Leicester General Hospital, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI).

The strikes will vary from 24 hours to 72 hours, and are all set to start on 11, 15, and 25 April, and on 1 and 7 May.

The union said it offered dispute resolution talks at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Gareth Eales, from Unison, said: "It's time the trust did the right thing and compensated them properly for that historic work.

"Unison would encourage UHL to accept our offer of talks at ACAS to find a compromise. Should an acceptable offer be made, we would put that to our members to consider and call off this strike action."

UHL chief nurse Julie Hogg said: "We value the contribution of health care support workers (HCSW) and recognise the difference they make to patient care.

"We continue to engage openly with all unions on the issues relating to the banding of HCSWs and have already ensured that everyone identified as working at band three has been moved to that band."