NHS operating theatre staff at Bedford Hospital are back on strike today in an ongoing dispute over payments for working extra hours.
Trade union UNISON confirmed that workers at Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital will remain on strike until Friday unless hospital bosses agree to restore overtime pay rates.
Staff previously earned time-and-a-half rates for working additional shifts under national agreements, but Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust moved to a flat rate in February.
According to UNISON, the decision means some theatre staff are losing as much as £120 for a single shift.
Sixth day of industrial action
The three-day strike marks the sixth day of industrial action taken by theatre staff over the past month.
Read: Bedfordshire hospital theatre staff vote for strike action in overtime pay dispute
During the industrial action, hospital staff continue to provide life and limb cover to ensure patient safety is maintained.
Picket lines will be formed on Ampthill Road outside the main entrance to Bedford Hospital from 8.30am each day.
Read: Hospital theatre staff strike over overtime pay cuts
Caroline Hennessy, head of health at UNISON Eastern, said: “It’s outrageous that the trust is clinging to its decision to scrap overtime rates.
“Staff are actually being asked to come in to work for less. It’s no way to treat loyal and skilled employees or tackle waiting lists.
“Bedfordshire hospitals should abandon this callous cut and allow staff to get back to work.”
The trust previously stated that the changes followed a formal consultation process to ensure consistency and fairness across its workforce.
Changes not made lightly
Speaking to the Bedford Independent in June, 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.
“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.
“Our priority is always to maintain safe, high-quality care for patients while supporting our staff as much as possible.”
The trust added that overtime and additional-hours payments were standardised earlier this year to align legacy local arrangements with national NHS Agenda for Change standards.
