Liverpool Hospital lab workers' strike called off after parade incident
- Tuesday 27 May 2025
For immediate distribution - 27 May 2025
Liverpool Hospital lab workers' strike called off after parade incident
A planned strike by workers at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital today (27 May) has been called off following yesterday's incident in Liverpool city centre.
Over 50 workers were set to walk out today after also taking action on 22 and 23 May after concerns that staff burnout and understaffing was putting patients at risk.
The members of Unite work in the microbiology department at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (which is part of the hospital trust) and play a key role in diagnosing infections at the hospital, analysing samples including blood and tissue before a clinician uses the results to decide on the correct course of action for the patient.
However, following the incident in Liverpool which saw a car plough into a crowd in the city centre during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade yesterday evening leaving over fifty people injured, the workers made the decision to suspend today's industrial action.
Unite regional officer Derek Jones said: "Following yesterday's tragic events in Liverpool, members took the immediate decision to suspend action so they could provide full support to the major incident which has been declared by the hospital trust.
"The dispute is not over and more action is planned - but we are urging Liverpool Clinical Laboratories to come back to the table and commit to addressing the problems with staffing and overwork."
At present, further strike dates have not been announced.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524