Great Western Hospital 'working closely' with contractor amid strike
A 'small number' of staff members continue to walk out over a pay dispute
Great Western Hospital in Swindon tell us they've been working hard to minimise disruption and cover staffing over the continuing strike action.
The Trust say they continue to work closely with Serco to make sure they mitigate the impact of the action, taken by porters, cleaning and security staff.
The firm tell us staff at the site here in Wiltshire aren't getting a pay rise, unlike their counterparts in other parts of the country, because of the rejection of an NHS funding application.
A Serco spokesperson previously told Greatest Hits Radio: “Serco has a great relationship with our colleagues and UNISON at Great Western Hospital and we are as disappointed as they are that our NHS funding application for the non-consolidated agenda for change bonus has not been successful.
"We will continue to work with Unison to find a mutually acceptable outcome to this issue.”
A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “A small number of staff working for Serco, in housekeeping and portering roles at Great Western Hospital, voted in favour of industrial action.
“While the pay dispute is between Serco and unions including UNISON and GMB, the Trust continues to work closely with Serco to ensure the impact of the strike action on service and care delivery remains minimal.
“We have not experienced any disruption to patient care and have covered staffing during the strike period.”
Read more: Serco workers to 'escalate strike action' at Great Western Hospital