Unison members are going on strike this September - here's everything you need to know.
Who is striking?
Unite nurses are returning to the picket lines this September over ongoing pay disputes and staffing safety concerns.
Over 2,800 Unite members, including cleaners, pathologists, caterers and porters, will be joining the strike action.
What is the strike action about?
Unite workers are striking over unsafe staffing levels which are putting both patients and employees at risk. The industrial action is also a result of unsatisfactory pay. The September strikes arrive following a series of walkouts over the past few months.
Where will the industrial action take place?
The strikes will take place at the following locations:
Barts Health NHS Trust
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
When will it take place?
Strikes at Barts will take place between 13-14 September and 16-22 September. Employees at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals will join the picket line at Guy's and St Thomas’ on 13-14 September.
Industry outlook?
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “NHS employers must stop sweeping the staffing crisis under the carpet.
“Hospitals are so short of staff that patients are frequently being put at risk.
“Until the fundamental causes of low pay and impossible working conditions are resolved, the problem is only going get worse.”
Meanwhile, Unite national lead officer, Onay Kasab, said: “The strike action will cause disruption and delays at the NHS trusts but our members can’t take anymore.
“They have been raising serious concerns about staff levels for years but have been met by a wall of disdain and indifference.”
A spokesperson for Barts Health said: "A number of our staff were still employed by Serco on 31 March 2023 and do not qualify for the lump sum under the terms of the national NHS pay deal.
“We are committed to working with our staff and unions to find a resolution and avoid industrial action."
A spokesperson for the East London NHS Foundation Trust added: “We are aware that staff from our Trust who are members of the Unite union will be striking on Wednesday 13 September over staffing levels and pay.
"Our conversations with staffside colleagues are ongoing.
“We are committed to providing service users with high-quality services and will work with our staff and Unite colleagues to do so during this period”.
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