Hundreds of Swansea Bay hospital workers are preparing to go on strike for two days due to pay disputes. The strike, organised by Unison, is set to take place on Tuesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 11. Employees at eight hospitals across the Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot areas, including Neath Port Talbot, Morriston, and Singleton, will participate in the industrial action. This decision comes after a resounding 99% of the workers involved in the ballot voted in favour of striking.
According to Unison, healthcare support workers on salary band two are meant to focus solely on providing personal care tasks like bathing and feeding patients, as per NHS guidance. However, the union alleges that these workers at Swansea Bay University Health Board are frequently required to perform clinical duties such as blood monitoring, conducting electrocardiogram tests, and inserting cannulas. Unison Cymru’s regional organiser, Lianne Owen, emphasised that strike action is always a last resort but highlighted the importance of fair compensation for the workers who have allegedly been underpaid for their responsibilities.
Hollie Arnold, a healthcare support worker at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, expressed the employees’ determination to receive fair pay for their efforts through the upcoming strikes. Andrew O’Leary, the branch secretary for Unison in Swansea Bay, reiterated that the workers feel undervalued and would prefer to be caring for patients instead of resorting to industrial action. In response to the planned strike, a spokeswoman for Swansea Bay University Health Board stated their disappointment and highlighted their commitment to treating all staff fairly, including healthcare support workers.
The health board acknowledged the potential impact the strike could have on patients and assured that they are assessing the situation to mitigate any disruptions while continuing discussions with Unison to reach a resolution. Despite the impending strike action, the health board remains dedicated to their ongoing dialogue with the union and their determination to address the concerns raised by the healthcare support workers. The employees’ dedication to their roles in healthcare is evident, with the strike serving as a clear message of their desire for fair compensation and recognition.
The healthcare support workers’ decision to strike has raised concerns about the potential implications for patients and the continuity of care. The situation underscores the broader issue of fair pay and recognition for healthcare professionals across the UK. As negotiations continue between Unison and the Swansea Bay University Health Board, both parties are working towards finding a resolution that satisfies the workers’ demands for equitable compensation. The strike action serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by essential healthcare workers and the importance of addressing their grievances to ensure a sustainable and fair working environment in the healthcare sector.