First London HCAs join campaign to demand up-banding
Healthcare support workers at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust have begun a 48-hour strike in what their union has described as a “historic” walk out.
Unison said the strike marked the first time clinical support staff in London have gone on strike independently of national NHS disputes.
“Constant turnover means we’re frequently understaffed”
Tracey Snipp
The action, taking place from 4-6 September, is part of a national campaign by the union to get healthcare assistants (HCAs) more fairly paid for the work they are carrying out.
The campaign is highlighting that many HCAs are being paid as a band 2 but are performing duties that should place them on a band 3.
Healthcare support workers at Lewisham and Greenwich are among those in this position, and hundreds are joining the picket line this week, according to Unison.
Tracey Snipp, one of the HCAs at the trust who is going on strike, said: “My colleagues and I never wanted to strike, but we’ve been left with no choice.
“We provide the majority of patient care – around 70% – and all we’re asking is to be paid fairly for the work we do.”
She said that many of her colleagues had been forced to quit because they could not afford to pay rent or feed their families on their wages.
“We’re there for patients from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave, but constant turnover means we’re frequently understaffed, which puts even more pressure on those of us who stay,” added Ms Snipp.
More on the Unison HCA campaign
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea joined the HCAs on the picket lines at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich and University Hospital Lewisham today.
She said: “These workers aren’t asking for special treatment, just fairness.
“The trust has been underpaying support staff for years. They’ve been forced to carry out clinical tasks beyond their pay band, without fair compensation. Enough is enough.”
HCAs on strike outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Greenwich
She added: “Across the country, similar disputes have been fought and resolved, with fair agreements reached elsewhere. It’s time Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust followed suit.”
The national profiles for the Agenda for Change bands set out that staff who carry out clinical tasks should be on band 3, while band 2 staff are limited to providing personal care.
The HCAs who Unison has supported nationally through their campaign have argued that they routinely carry out clinical work such as taking and monitoring blood, conducting electrocardiogram tests and providing wound dressings.
The national wage rate for band 2 staff is £23,615 whereas band 3 staff earn between £24,071 and £25,674.
A spokesperson for Lewisham and Greenwich said: “Our healthcare support workers are valued and essential members of Team LGT.
“We respect their right to strike and are taking all necessary steps to appropriately care for patients during this period of industrial action.
“We are in ongoing discussions with the Unions with regards to reaching a resolution and are committed to keeping our colleagues up to date and informed throughout this process.”
