Operating theatre staff at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital have voted unanimously in favour of strike action in a growing dispute over changes to overtime pay.
The ballot result was announced by UNISON after workers employed by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust backed industrial action following the removal of enhanced overtime rates.
The dispute centres on a decision by the trust to stop paying theatre staff time-and-a-half for working beyond their contracted 37.5-hour week. Under the new arrangements, introduced in February, staff wanting to work additional hours must book shifts through the trust’s bank system and are paid at their normal hourly rate.
According to UNISON, the change leaves experienced nurses and operating department practitioners around £120 worse off for each additional shift they work.
The union has warned the move could make it harder to persuade staff to take on extra work, potentially worsening staffing shortages and increasing the risk of operations being cancelled.
Workers are now discussing their next steps, with strike dates expected to be announced unless the trust agrees to reinstate overtime payments.
UNISON says industrial action could still be avoided if hospital managers reverse the decision.
Caroline Hennessy, UNISON Eastern head of health, said: “The NHS is under huge financial pressure at the moment, but bosses shouldn’t go looking in theatre staff’s pockets to make their savings.
“This unanimous vote for strikes shows exactly how upset workers are at this raid on their wages. There’s still time to avoid strikes — the trust just has to bring back the overtime rates that workers were paid already.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We value our theatre teams enormously and fully recognise the skill, commitment and pressure involved in their roles. We are sorry that some colleagues feel distressed by the recent changes, and we are continuing to meet with staff and trade union representatives to listen to their concerns and to ensure they have all the correct information in relation to the changes.
“Earlier this year, the trust standardised overtime and additional-hours payments for theatre staff so that all colleagues are paid consistently and in line with national NHS Agenda for Change arrangements.
“This followed a lengthy and formal consultation process, including individual discussions with affected staff and engagement with trade unions and ACAS. These changes were not made lightly. They were introduced to ensure fairness across our workforce, to bring legacy local arrangements in line with trust-wide standards, and to support the long-term sustainability of our services. We remain committed to working constructively with UNISON and our theatre teams, and we hope to avoid any industrial action. Our priority is always to maintain safe, high-quality care for patients while supporting our staff as much as possible.”
If strike action goes ahead, it could have implications for planned operations, where theatre staff play a key role in helping tackle treatment backlogs and maintaining elective surgery schedules.
Be the first to comment