NHS Tayside estate staff have voted to escalate strike action in a dispute over “second class” pay and conditions.
Around 60 estates workers including electricians, joiners, and plumbers will begin a 24 hour strike at one minute past midnight on Friday.
In an update, strikes will resume in November, with staff walking out at 4pm on Wednesday, November 1, until 8am the following Monday.
Unite the union say the dispute centres on the “failure” of NHS Tayside to locally implement recognised national conditions for trades persons.
They claim the “second-class” treatment of estates workers within the health board is contributing to a recurring detriment in pay and conditions.
Estates workers ensure that operating theatres across NHS Tayside are able to function safely and smoothly by providing an on-site and on-call service.
Overtime ban also in place
The union also say an overtime ban and no on-call cover will be in effect over each weekend for the next 12 weeks.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s estates workers across NHS Tayside have had enough of the abject failure of management to put an end to this dispute.
“The escalation of action shows that our members are in this for the long haul.
“Health Board management should be under no illusion that our members are determined to fight for what they deserve – fair and equal treatment and Unite backs them all the way.”
NHS Tayside ‘disappointed’ in strike action
A spokesperson for the health board said: “NHS Tayside has received notice from Unite that their members in the estates department intend to take part in industrial action in relation to a trade dispute over the restructure and reorganisation [of the department].
“NHS Tayside received an initial notice of industrial action from Unite earlier this summer.
“As a result, the board reconsidered its position in relation to the restructure and department reorganisation and confirmed to Unite on July 17 that, with immediate effect, it would not proceed with implementation of the redesign.
“As the restructure was not proceeding, the board considers there was no longer a trade dispute between the board and Unite.
“The Board also made the offer to continue dialogue with Unite to resolve any outstanding issues.
“While it is very disappointing to NHS Tayside that discussions to achieve a resolution have not been successful, multi-disciplinary teams have worked hard to ensure there are robust contingency arrangements in place during the advised periods of industrial action.”
The health board added the strike action will only impact on arrangements for the estates department at Ninewells Hospital but there is no anticipated impact to patient care.
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