Wiltshire healthcare workers strike for second time over pay

Staff joined picket lines at some of Wiltshire's community hospitals, including in Chippenham

Healthcare staff said they felt "devalued" and "fed up" as they strike for a second time over pay.

The 24-hour action is by staff from Wiltshire Health & Care, a private company formed by local NHS trusts.

Last year, NHS workers had a pay rise and one-off payment, but Wiltshire Health & Care staff did not receive it.

The company said it applied to the government for funding and the money would be paid to staff quickly if it was successful.

Wiltshire Health & Care employs some staff at the county's smaller community hospitals, including Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, Savernake, Trowbridge and Warminster.

It was formed by the three hospital trusts serving the county.

Claire Doyle, who has been on the picket line in Chippenham, said: "We all worked through Covid. I've been in the NHS for 29 years and we deserve this pay.

"We're working alongside people who have had their pay rise."

Wiltshire Health & Care said the strike would affect some services, and patients would be contacted directly if there was an issue.

The minor injury units at Chippenham and Trowbridge will be open as usual.

'Really saddened'

Hayley Wiley works for the organisation too and joined the picket outside Chippenham Community Hospital.

She felt "really aggrieved, really fed up, really saddened to think that they don't think we're worthy of our money".

"We didn't even realise that we weren't truly NHS - we were really shocked to find that out. We had a consultation when we were taken over and were told nothing would change except the name on our uniform," she added.

Thomas Simblet, a worker at Warminster Community Hospital, said earlier staff felt "devalued" particularly as "everybody's facing the same huge cost-of-living pressures".

Unison said members on the Valentine's Day strike were feeling "unloved" over their pay

South West organiser for union Unison Jayne Jackson said: "Failure to deliver the bonus has left staff feeling unloved and with no alternative but to strike.

"It would also make financial sense for Wiltshire Health and Care as the extra cash could be just the thing to persuade disillusioned workers not to quit the firm for good."

The strike is scheduled to last for 24 hours from 07:00 GMT and Unison said 95% of their members had backed strike action.

Wiltshire Health & Care said it had asked the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in December for funding for the additional pay but was still waiting to hear back.

The DHSC has been asked by the BBC for a response.