Security staff at Southampton General Hospital, who are being attacked in the A&E department, will strike for eight days in their dispute over pay rates, sick pay, and safety concerns.
The plight of the 21 security staff, who are being attacked on a regular basis by members of the public either under the influence of drink or drugs, or with mental health problems, has attracted national media attention.
Unite, their union, said on March 20 that its security staff members would strike for eight days in April, May, and June, as well as starting an overtime ban on 5 April.
Unite said that neither the employer Mitie Security Ltd nor the bosses at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust had made any effort to resolve the dispute since the lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as stab vests and safety restraints, was revealed earlier this month.
The security staff voted unanimously for strike action and industrial action short of a strike and will now strike for 24 hours on 5 April, 19 April and 24 May. There will also be a 48 hour stoppage starting on 3 May and a further 72 hour strike on 7 June. All the strikes will start at 00.01.
Unite lead officer for health in the south east Scott Kemp said: “Since the attacks on our members received national media coverage, it has been very disappointing, to say the least, that there has been no approach from either the trust management or Mitie to try and resolve the issue.
“The lack of urgency on Mitie’s part to resolve these personal protection issues at the Tremona Road site is a disgrace – that’s why our members voted unanimously for eight days of strike action.
“At present, if the security staff are injured at work, and if the resulting investigation finds in their favour, they get two weeks’ full pay and then two weeks’ half-pay. After that, it is the statutory minimum.
“What we want is enhanced sickness payments for those off work due to being injured protecting patients and hospital staff; proper and transparent investigations into all attacks; and our members having the necessary personal protection equipment. Our members are seeking six months’ full-pay, followed by six months’ half-pay for all sickness absences.”
There is also a petition supporting the security staff.
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