Strikes at three Nottinghamshire hospitals called off

King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

A planned strike at three Nottinghamshire hospitals has been called off one day before it was due to start.

Almost 300 staff members working for a private company at hospitals in Nottinghamshire had planned a walkout after being refused the same conditions and bonuses as NHS colleagues.

GMB Union said Medirest employees at King’s Mill, Mansfield Community and Newark hospitals were due to strike for 48 hours between August 1 and August 2.

However both organisations confirmed early on Wednesday (July 31) the action has been called off.

GMB told the Local Democracy Reporting Service talks with Medirest had reached an agreement on Wednesday, July 31.

Workers will now take part in a ballot to officially suspend future industrial action, with a result expected later this month.

Cameron Mitchell, GMB Organiser, said: “This is the first step on the road to equal pay, terms and conditions for contractors in our NHS.

“GMB will never accept workers being treated like second class staff in our NHS, and this campaign has show just how vital they are to the day-to-day running of our hospitals and services.”

Those who were due to take part in the strikes included porters, cleaners, security staff, catering workers and reception teams.

GMB said Medirest, a private contractor at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, had initially refused to bring terms and conditions in line with colleagues employed directly by the NHS.

Workers were also denied a one-off bonus payment made to NHS workers, despite working throughout the pandemic.

The Covid recovery payment of at least £1,655 was agreed as part of the NHS pay deal in England last year, to recognise the pressure of the Covid pandemic on staff.

It was announced as part of a deal which included a five per cent pay rise for more than a million NHS staff in England.

A spokesperson for Medirest said: “We highly value the work of all our people.
“We are pleased that the planned strikes this week have been suspended, and we remain committed to constructively engaging with the Union and its members moving forward.”