Hundreds of hospital staff walk out across Bedfordshire in dispute over pay
Members of the UNISON union are demanding a pay band that matches the work they undertake
Last updated 11th Mar 2024
A major two-day walkout starts today (March 11) for over 400 hospital staff across Bedfordshire in a dispute over pay.
Members of the UNISON Union working at hospitals across the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are demanding a salary that matches the vital work they undertake.
According to NHS guidance, healthcare assistants on salary band 2 of the Agenda for Change pay scale should only be providing personal care, such as bathing and feeding patients.
UNISON union members however say they have routinely undertaken clinical tasks that would normally be done by people on band 3, which include taking blood, performing electrocardiogram tests and inserting cannulas.
"...all they’re asking for is to be fairly rewarded for the work they do and to receive back pay for the extra they’ve already put in."
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Julie Trundell said: “Like anyone else, healthcare assistants deserve to be paid fairly for their work.
“They don’t want to be on strike, all they’re asking for is to be fairly rewarded for the work they do and to receive back pay for the extra they’ve already put in.
“The trust should follow the lead of other employers around the country that have acted properly by grading and paying their staff.”
“We don’t want to be on strike, but it’s time the trust played fair and paid fair.”
Bedford Hospital healthcare assistant Alesandro said: “I’ve been working here for years and as time has gone on, we’ve been given more responsibilities but no extra pay.
“We don’t want to be on strike, but it’s time the trust played fair and paid fair.”
Staff overwhelmingly backed strike action with 99% voting in favour in a ballot last month.
“We value the vital contribution of our healthcare support workers and are in agreement and fully supportive of the re-banding of these roles..."
## What does the Trust say?
Meanwhile, Cathy Jones, Chief Operating Officer at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“As a result of the industrial action taking place, our hospitals services will be impacted, with patients likely to experience delays during their appointments.
“Both our inpatients and outpatients may receive care from different clinical members of staff throughout the strike period, however all staff are trained and committed to providing the highest level of care.
“We value the vital contribution of our healthcare support workers and are in agreement and fully supportive of the re-banding of these roles. An offer to move workers on to a higher pay grade, where applicable, with back pay to July 2021 has been made.
“We continue to be in active discussions with Unison and our staff about this matter and remain committed to working collaboratively in bringing the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible.”