Barnsley Hospital (Image: MEN MEDIA)
Hundreds of workers at a major UK hospital have indicated they are ready to strike – after a union claimed NHS bosses “threatened them with fire and rehire”. Over 600 workers at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust took part in a consultative ballot – with 97 per cent voting in favour of taking strike action, on a turnout of more than 76%.
The NHS trust said it is looking to “bring the trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital trusts and with the national NHS terms and conditions that were agreed some years ago by trade unions and the NHS.” The GMB union claims the trust is seeking to impose new contracts upon thousands of staff, including nurses, technicians and clerical workers, removing their right to a paid 20-minute shift break.
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GMB has now lodged a formal dispute with the trust and will meet with reps to discuss next steps – including a full strike ballot – if the trust does not back down.
Rachel Dix, GMB Organiser, said: “Hundreds of GMB members at Barnsley Hospital voted overwhelmingly for strike action if the trust does not stop this attack on removing paid breaks, increasing unpaid time at work.
“On the back of this incredible result, which has seen a dramatic spike in membership growth, GMB has lodged a collective dispute with the employer.
“We await their response, but our members are clear; they are prepared to take this all the way unless the hostile act of fire and rehire is halted and their breaks remain untouched.”
An indicative ballot is a way for the union to ask members their view on a specific issue, in this case, whether to accept or reject the employer’s pay offer – but it does not authorise industrial action.
Sometimes they will be followed up – after the feelings of the workers have been taken – by a formal or statutory ballot.
They are tightly regulated by law and must be conducted by post only, meet strict turnout and voting thresholds and ask members to vote on industrial action or action short of strike.
Only if a formal ballot is successful can the union lawfully organise industrial action.
A Barnsley Hospital spokesperson added: “The proposals would bring the trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital trusts and with the national NHS terms and conditions that were agreed some years ago by trade unions and the NHS.
“It would provide more staff on duty for patients and reduce reliance on temporary staff.
“Evidence shows this would improve patient care and safety, support staff wellbeing, reduce healthcare costs and improve staff retention.
“The trust has undertaken eight months of consultation with affected staff and trade unions, and these discussions continue.
“The GMB has not undertaken a formal ballot for industrial action, but has submitted an internal collective grievance which will be heard in accordance with trust policies.
“We continue to engage with staff, trade unions and ACAS in order to try to address outstanding concerns – of the approximately 1,500 colleagues impacted by the proposed changes, over 1,000 have signed to accept the revised terms and conditions.”
The trust added: “Staff wellbeing is a priority for the trust. Ensuring colleagues have adequate rest breaks is essential to mitigate fatigue and maintain health.
“We remain committed to appropriate breaks in line with best practice and national NHS terms and conditions.
“This process was driven by our commitment to fairness and consistency, addressing long-standing informal arrangements and variations in how breaks were taken across departments, which raised concerns about equity among other staff groups with unpaid breaks.”