Hundreds of Barnsley Hospital staff workers vote to strike after alleged fire and rehire threat
Staff at a South Yorkshire hospital have voted in favour of strike action - though bosses claim the union has failed to follow policy in their vote.
The GMB Union has revealed that hundreds of workers at Barnsley Hospital voted in favour of strike action over proposed changes to contracts that would remove paid breaks.
The union first announced they would be undertaking the vote last week, claiming new contracts would affect thousands of staff including nurses, technicians and clerical workers.
More than 600 workers were involved in the ballot, with 76 per cent turning out to vote.
Of those, 97 per cent voted in favour of taking strike action - totalling about 440 people.
The union has claimed that those not willing to accept the controversial new contacts have been threatened with fire and rehire tactics.
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.”
Hospital bosses have said that these new contracts are ‘in line with almost all other NHS hospital trusts’, adding that extensive consultations took place ahead of the announcement.
Meanwhile, they have said that GMB Union has failed to follow proper procedures ahead of their strike vote.
A Barnsley Hospital spokesperson said: “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 have 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.
“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.”