A four-hour strike this morning by NHS staff in England has received overwhelming support.
Hundreds of thousands of workers walked out in protest at the Government’s decision to deny the majority of health workers a pay rise.
The bleak conditions did nothing to dampen the determination of striking workers at hundreds of hospitals across the country as workers stood on picket lines from 7am until 11am.
NHS workers are angry at the Government’s decision to reject the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendation for a 1% pay rise for all staff.
On some picket lines, striking workers were brought hot tea, coffee and cakes from doctors and members of the public in a strong show of support. Local government workers and delivery vans at several locations refused to cross picket lines until the strike action stopped at 11am. Local MPs and MEPs stood alongside workers in the north-east.
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, who stood shoulder to shoulder with striking workers on picket lines in London said:
“Today was the first time in 32 years that our members in the NHS have taken strike action over pay. They sent a clear message to the Government that they deserve fair pay and the Government cannot take advantage of their good will any longer.
“Jeremy Hunt must recognise the strength of feeling shown by our members this morning. We are repeating our calls for the Government to meet with us to negotiate a fair deal for our members in the health service.”
NHS workers will now take part in action short of strike action between Tuesday 14 October and Friday 17 October, with members taking the breaks they are entitled to.
Pay in the NHS has not kept in line with inflation and staff have not received an above-inflation rise since 2009. This year, 60% of NHS staff will not get a pay rise and only those at the top of their bands will receive a 1% unconsolidated pay rise.
Some of the hot spots around the country this morning were:
North West
At the Christie Hospital, doctors sent tea and biscuits out for colleagues taking strike action.
More than 500 people stood on picket lines in Central Manchester, with 200 at Blackpool, 100 at Pennine Acute in North Manchester and strong pickets at Rochdale, Oldham and Bury. Strong support too at the Mental Health Trusts across Greater Manchester.
Very good response in St Helens and Knowsley, Liverpool Acute, Calderstones, Southport and Ormskirk, North West Ambulance, and Cumbria.
Overwhelming positive with massive vocal support from the public and from non-health unions.
London
More than 60 workers from Guy’s and St Thomas were joined by UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis on a picket line. All non-urgent operations and clinics were cancelled.
The vast majority of crews from the London Ambulance Service walked out, with crews dealing with emergencies from picket lines. Ealing Hospital had 50 people on the picket line, with outpatients and maternity outpatients closed.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital had 50 people on its picket line, with members of the public joining striking workers.
Yorkshire and Humberside
Strong picket lines at Leeds General Infirmary, Pinderfields (Mid Yorks NHS Trust), Bradford Royal Infirmary, Barnsley General, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Hull Royal Infirmary. Around 150 strikers attended a rally at Sheffield Northern General addressed by UNISON Regional Head of Health, Tony Pearson, Assistant Regional Convenor John Campbell and Care UK striker Roger Hutt. Lots of honking and cheering from passing traffic.
North East
Dave Anderson MP joined the picket line at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ian Lavery MP stood alongside workers at Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington and Paul Brannan MEP was outside the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
There were more than 40 pickets at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, James Cook University Hospital and University Hospital Durham.
South East
Hundreds of pickets at Isle of Wight St Mary’s Hospital, Medway Hospital, Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth, Hastings Hospital, St James Hospital in Portsmouth and Basingstoke Hospital.
Fantastic support from the public, with members of the public supplying tea and coffee, cakes and chocolates, a box of ‘Heroes for the NHS Heroes’. Local government and social workers refused to cross picket lines at a hospital and returned after 11am, with lots of honking horns and cheering from passing motorists.
West Midlands
Turnout in the West Midlands was strong and all of the picket lines were solid. The demonstration at University Hospital Birmingham was lively and well attended. Birmingham Women’s Hospital staged a well supported walkout by staff from across a range of department and there picket lines were well attended, leading to the closure of the main reception. The University Hospital of North Staffordshire had an outstanding turnout on the picket lines with more than 150 members taking part in the stoppage. There were also more than100 pickets at Russell’s Hall Hospital in Dudley.
ends
Notes to Editors
UNISON is the UK’s largest health union with 300,000 members in England.
