Strikes by Airedale NHS microbiology workers responsible for carrying out diagnostic tests will escalate, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has failed to address the fact that the workers are on the pay band below what they should be for the work they carry out.

The trust has also agreed to undertake extra work for another trust that the microbiology workers will have to carry out, increasing the number of call outs during nights and weekends. As a result, out of hours rotas have been changed without consultation or regard to current workloads.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Airedale trust’s leadership are treating these staff disgracefully. They are already being paid too little, and now the trust is demanding they take on out-of-hours work on top of heavy existing workloads. These workers are entirely right to strike and have Unite’s full support.”

The workers previously took strike action from 18 to 25 December. Fresh strikes will take place from 9 February to 11 February and from 18 February to 20 February, resulting in testing delays for Airedale general hospitals and local GP services. Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional Chris Daly said: “The trust cannot keep burying its head in the sand – strikes will not end until a deal that rectifies the pay injustice microbiology workers are suffering is put forward. Industrial action can still be avoided but that will require the trust to offer a fair deal.”

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.