Maternity support workers at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby have just completed two weeks of strike action in their fight to secure proportionate back pay for carrying out clinical duties beyond their pay band for years.
Although the NHS trust re-banded them from Band 2 to Band 3 in October 2023, the trust is currently refusing to make an equitable offer of backpay.
As things stand, the current proposals would see some maternity support workers, who have nearly forty years’ service, and have worked high levels of unsocial hours, receiving less backpay than someone who has been at the trust for only four years.
The support workers took two days and then one week of strike action earlier in the year and started a two-week strike as of Monday 11 November.
UNISON branch secretary Andrea Smith said: “The branch is so proud and fully supportive of the maternity support workers and how they have remained steadfast in their fight for fair backpay that is proportional to length of service.
“These are dedicated employees, not only to the patients but the trust they serve; it is not only about fairness but also it is morally the right thing to do. The branch would like to extend their thanks to the many members of the public, co-workers, and wider trade union colleagues in their various acts of kindness and support throughout the three periods of strike action.”
UNISON regional organiser Ashley Harper added: “The maternity support workers have shown amazing solidarity throughout their three rounds of strike action. Even though the temperatures were extremely low on the recent picket lines, spirits remained high – and they are resolute in their determination to secure a fair deal on backpay.
“Some of them were carrying out duties beyond their pay band for over twenty years, and it is time that the trust recognised this dedication by making them a fair offer.”
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Account name: Grimsby Goole Scunthorpe health branch
The article Grimsby maternity support workers launch strike appeal first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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