Hospital staff secure major pay increase after strike action, says union
Healthcare staff at two hospitals have secured a pay rise and a deal on back pay, a union has said.
Hundreds of healthcare support workers from University Hospital Lewisham, in High Street, Lewisham, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Stadium Road, Woolwich, took to the picket line in September.
The industrial action has led to an improved offer from senior hospital managers, Unison union said.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital healthcare support worker Denise Smith said: “After 27 years as a healthcare assistant in the Trust, I’m pleased the role I do has been recognised and we’re finally getting the pay we deserve.
“Being paid fairly will make a big difference in easing our money worries, and hopefully it means more of my colleagues will be able to stay in the jobs they love.”
The workers are employed on Band 2 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, which involves providing personal care like feeding and bathing patients.
But, their union says, these employees regularly perform clinical tasks such as taking and monitoring blood, conducting electrocardiogram tests and providing wound dressings.
According to NHS guidance, these tasks should be compensated at the higher Band 3 level pay, which would increase salaries by as much as £2,000 annually.
But Lewisham and Greenwich NHS trust, which runs the two hospitals, had refused to adjust rates or provide fair back pay for work already done, Unison said.
Following strike action in September, hospital managers made an improved offer that will see staff with two or more years of service moving to the top of the band 3 pay spine. This is worth an extra £2,000 a year.
Eligible staff are due to receive their updated pay and back pay this week.
UNISON London regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “This is great news and important recognition for the dedicated staff at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust who have been going above and beyond for years.
“While strike action should never have been necessary, the healthcare workers’ determination to win a fair deal ultimately brought the trust back to the table with the improved offer.”
A Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust spokeswoman said: “We are delighted that our HCAs voted to accept the pay deal that was agreed between Unison and Team LGT in November. The deal is for guaranteed backdated pay, from April 2021, to be received before the end of 2024. The deal also provided a clear route for staff progression and pay protection inclusive of basic salary, unsociable hours, and the high-cost of living supplement.
“Our HCAs are amongst the most dedicated and hardworking of our teams and, now that this issue has been resolved, we can move forward together as a team to deliver exceptional care for our patients.”
Pictured top: Healthcare support workers from University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital take to the picket line in September (Picture: Unison)