Teeside and North Yorkshire Healthcare staff "taking a stand" as they start second day of strike
UNISON members are walking out until Thursday
More than 1,000 healthcare assistants across Teesside and North Yorkshire are striking for a second day in a wage rates dispute.
UNISON members employed by North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are taking part.
It is the second period of strikes following a 24-hour walkout last month which saw hundreds of staff leave their posts across seven sites operated by the two employers.
Michelle Cook is a healthcare assistant: "I feel a bit deflated really because it shouldn't have come to this point. We should be at work at the moment but we've got no other option. We are just fighting for what we believe in. If we don't take a stand, they are not going to listen."
Claire Williams is the Northern Regional secretary at Unison: "What they are asking for is to be paid the appropriate band for the work they are doing and to get an appropriate period of back pay."
What do the Trust say?
A spokesperson for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We recognise and appreciate the huge contribution that healthcare assistants make to our patients.
“Since the elements of these roles were clarified nationally, we have been working closely with trade union colleagues to move our healthcare assistants to these grades where applicable. Our trusts support this move and the benefits to our HCA workforce and therefore have committed to back pay dating back to July 2021 - the date the national job profile for the clinical support worker role changed.
“During the strike action, we will once again be prioritising urgent and emergency care to protect patient safety and ensure those in life-threatening emergencies can receive the best possible care.
“If you have an appointment and we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
“People can help us by keeping A&E free to treat the most serious and life-threatening conditions. If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical need, please use NHS 111 online to find the right healthcare service for your needs.”
The strikes will involve the following hospitals:
- North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust: University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton-on-Tees; University Hospital of Hartlepool, Hartlepool.
-South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough; Friarage Hospital, Northallerton; Redcar Primary Care Hospital, Redcar; East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital, Brotton; Friary Community Hospital, Richmond.