Union leader joins striking Bedfordshire hospitals operating theatre staff
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan joined operating theatre staff in Bedfordshire at the start of their week-long strike against cuts to pay.
Nurses, theatre assistants and operating department practitioners walked out in the latest round of strikes on Monday (August 3) with Andrea visiting the picket line at Luton and Dunstable Hospital urging a rethink on a decision to cut staff pay.
The union says operating theatre staff used to get paid overtime shifts at time and a half – in line with nationally negotiated agreements. But in February, the trust told workers they would have to take on additional shifts through an internal employment agency at a flat rate that would leave them taking home less than they would for a regular shift.
Staff have already taken eight days of strikes over the cut, with this week’s action, the longest period yet, continuing until midnight on Saturday, says Unison.
During strike days, theatre staff continue to provide emergency cover to ensure patients’ lives aren’t put at risk.
Andrea Egan said: “These workers are absolutely committed to going into their operating theatres and saving lives. But their employer wants them to do their jobs for less pay.
“Ministers are talking constantly about bringing down waiting lists. They won’t do it by stretching staff’s goodwill beyond breaking point.
“The trust has had every opportunity to solve this dispute, but it’s sticking to its bird-brained scheme to cut staff pay.
“Workers aren't asking for much, all they want is the same overtime pay they were on before.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said “We fully recognise the pressures on our theatre teams and the impact this industrial action is having on staff and patients. Overtime for emergency overruns continues to be paid at Agenda for Change rates, and recent changes relate only to voluntary, pre‑planned additional shifts, which were harmonised to ensure fairness and consistency across all staff groups.
“The Trust remains committed to constructive discussions with UNISON and continues to seek opportunities to meet and work towards a fair and sustainable resolution. While recent engagement has been challenging, we hope that dialogue can resume so that we can make progress together in the interests of both staff and patients. Our priority is always to maintain safe, high‑quality care for patients while supporting our staff as much as possible during this challenging period.”