Guys’ and St Thomas’ day theatre nurses have won their fight against increases to late night finishes, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

Impacting physical and mental health

Around 100 nurses took strike action in June, July and September over extensions to their shift ending times that were impacting their physical and mental health and personal lives.

Following negotiations with Unite, the trust has now agreed to significantly reduce the number of late-night finishes required of the nurses.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “A huge well done to Guys’ and St Thomas’ theatre nurses for standing together in their union and getting the trust to see sense over unsustainable working hours.

“Demanding healthcare staff run themselves into the ground as an alternative to proper investment is a short-term fix that will only worsen the crisis in the NHS. Unite stands ready across the health service to defend workers who are being subjected to such treatment.”

All scheduled strike action has now been called off, however Unite will continue to consult with Guys’ and St Thomas’ over other issues related to the nurses’ working hours.

Sign of good faith

As a sign of good faith, the trust has agreed to accept an extension of the nurses’ industrial action mandate until 12 March 2025 to allow negotiations to be completed.

Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “This agreement would not have been reached without the hard work and solidarity of Unite’s reps and members at Guys’ and St Thomas’.

“It is yet another reminder of why those who want to improve their working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.”

ENDS  

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065. Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

  • Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.