Operating theatre staff striking over pay dispute with Leeds hospital chiefs
Theatre staff were on the picket line at Leeds General Infirmary today
Operating theatre staff from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust were out in force on the picket line this morning in a dispute over pay.
Armed with flags and banners the theatre assistants braved the heat to campaign over their pay outside Leeds General Infirmary.
Impacted staff walked out on Monday and they will remain on strike for 14 days.
Trade union Unison said that staff are currently employed at band two, the lowest NHS pay grade, and they argue that staff should be paid a higher band for carrying out clinical duties.
The union said it had been in talks with hospital chiefs to resolve the dispute but said that staff had “no option but to strike”.
John Ingleson, the branch chair of Unison at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, said to the Yorkshire Evening Post on the picket line today: “These guys are on strike because they’re not getting paid right.
“They’re getting paid at the wrong banding. They’re paid as a band two and actually they should be paid as a band three.”
He raised disparities across West Yorkshire when it comes to pay and urged health chiefs to rethink.
Mr Ingleson added: “Theatre workers all around West Yorkshire are paid as a band three but in Leeds where there is so much complex work and so much difficult work they are paid as a band two.
“I just don’t understand that.”
Dr Elizabeth Garthwaite, interim chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said that plans were in place ahead of the strike to minimise disruption for patients.
She added: "Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do, and we want everyone to feel valued, respected and able to raise their concerns.
“We continue to work closely with colleagues in Theatres as well as staff-side representatives.
"Patients can be reassured that plans are in place to minimise disruption and help us continue providing safe care during periods of strike action."