Sherwood Forest hospital trust contractors vote to go on strike

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust runs King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital and Newark Hospital

Staff at three hospitals have voted to strike in a dispute over bonuses paid during the pandemic.

The GMB union said the workers employed by Medirest did not receive a one-off payment that Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust staff got.

They include cleaners and security workers, who supported the strike with a 96% vote in favour, the union said on Thursday.

Medirest said it was maintaining a regular dialogue with those involved.

It employs staff at King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital and Newark Hospital.

A spokesperson for Medirest said it was "disappointed" with the GMB's decision to progress with industrial action.

It added it had applied to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for funding for the "non-consolidated bonus payment for employees", and notified the union about it in December.

"We were informed on Friday this has been successful and we await further guidance as to when this funding will be provided, and we will continue to engage with our employees about the payment," the spokesperson said.

"Funding for the non-consolidated bonus payment is provided by government who has set the eligibility criteria and unfortunately it currently doesn't include all outsourced workers. We will continue to engage with the DHSC to try to access the non-consolidated bonus payment for all employees.

"We highly value the work of all our teams. Our people are paid in line with Agenda for Change hourly base pay rates. In addition, they have access to a range of employee benefits."

Cameron Mitchell, GMB organiser, said "strike action is always a last resort".

He added: "Workers employed by Medirest in NHS hospitals do absolutely vital work, keeping Nottinghamshire's hospitals operating day in and day out."

Strike dates are yet to be announced.