Staff strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals

Hundreds of operating theatre staff are set to strike next week at four Greater Manchester hospitals.

More than 350 employees including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers from Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield Hospital in Bury will strike on Monday 24 August, Wednesday 26 August and Friday 28 August.

Trade union Unison claimed an offer by Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) to resolve a dispute was initially tabled by NCA bosses, but withdrawn before discussions could take place.

Gertie Nic Philib, the trust's chief people and strategy officer said: "We respect our colleagues' right to take lawful industrial action."

Unison North West regional organiser Kevin Dolan said: "Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear.

"A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it's obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.

"This isn't complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they're entitled to. Nothing more."

The union allege the row centres on the trust's use of an outside agency – NHS Professionals (NHSP) – to manage overtime.

It claims: "When covering staff shortages, staff are entitled to time-and-a-half pay. However, in some cases staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, with some missing out on more than £80 per shift."

Gertie Nic Philib said the trust would "continue to engage constructively and work together in the interests of patient safety".

The official added: "We are preparing for this period of action and are working hard to minimise disruption to services and the patients who rely on our care.

"Our focus throughout this period is on maintaining safe services, supporting colleagues and ensuring that patients requiring urgent, emergency and other time critical care continue to receive the treatment they need.

"We apologise for any uncertainty this may cause. People should be assured, that should any changes need to be made with their care, we would always contact them directly."

Staff took part in four strikes in June.

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