Royal Berkshire Hospital porters take two days of strike action

Almost 100 Porters at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading will take 48 hours of strike action starting tomorrow.

The GMB union members will down tools at 07:00 on Tuesday 29 September until 07:00 on Thursday 1 October.

The dispute centres around a reduction in overtime rates for some of the lower paid workers in the hospital.

An offer to temporarily bridge the gap of lost earnings for 6 months was rejected by 91 per cent of union members.

Last-ditch talks with ACAS last week produced a fresh offer, which was then rejected by 98 per cent of members.

Louis Bryson, GMB Regional Organiser said:

“Workers in our communities getting pushed towards poverty is a disgrace, especially such vital healthcare professionals.

“Our members have been forced to take action and for two days there will be no one to carry around heavy medical equipment, no one to take our loved ones to their surgeries and x-rays, and no porters to respond when patients crash.

“Trust Senior Management are penny-pinching the overtime rates of the lowest paid staff, while recruiting another associate director on a six-figure salary just this month.

“There are now 4 executives within the Trust overseeing facilities on six-figure salaries.

“We want members of our NHS community to be treated with respect and paid their dues, but since the Trust has refused, our members have no choice but to stand up for themselves.”