There were fewer complaints about NHS Tayside’s portering and housekeeping services during the recent strike than when porters were actually working.
Figures obtained by The Courier show nobody complained about the service during the industrial action but numerous complaints were lodged over the same period in previous years.
NHS Tayside drafted in volunteers from across the health board to keep hospitals moving during the bitter pay dispute with Unite the Union.
The figures, which came from a Freedom of Information request and were taken between March 6 and May 6, show that up to four volunteer staff were hurt while carrying out portering or housekeeping duties and it is thought many more could be suffering in silence.
Colin Coupar of Unite said he was not surprised by either fact.
“The amount of work that porters do is substantial and a lot of the equipment they use is quite complex,” he said.
“The volunteers would not have had the same training and experience, so it is no surprise that some of them were hurt.
“I also think that, when people know there is industrial action ongoing, they are less likely to complain.
“The tendency just isn’t there because people realise the situation. That’s certainly in keeping with my experience.”
A spokesman for the health board said: “NHS Tayside encourages staff to record all incidents and risks, however minor, using our risk management system.
“All recorded incidents or risks are monitored and further action is taken when appropriate.
“We can confirm that no further action was required following the reported incidents by staff helpers covering portering shifts.”
At the end of June Unite brought the 12-week strike to an end after agreeing a new pay deal with NHS bosses.
All 114 porters have been raised to band two salaries in line with colleagues at other Tayside hospitals and will also receive one-off payments understood to be £1,800 from the health board.