HCAs prepare strike as wage campaign shows no signs of ending

Around 350 HCAs – also known as healthcare support workers – employed by the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are planning a two-day strike starting Tuesday.

“Managers must recognize that their employees are underpaid and feel undervalued”

Steve Torrance

This dispute concerns Band 2 HCAs performing Band 3 tasks, such as electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, blood draws and other clinical tasks – where the worker should be solely involved in personal care.

The nursing staff demanded an immediate upgrade to salary level 3 of the Agenda for Change and back pay for the staff who have been performing these tasks for years without remuneration.

Unison, the union representing HCAs, said the trust had “acknowledged” the fact that staff were taking on clinical duties above their pay grade but had failed to meet its demands for back pay.

However, Unison did not disclose details of the trust’s latest pay offer. Rachel Slaughter, the trust’s regional manager for the south-east, said the trust had obtained the labour of these workers “cheaply”.

Ms Slaughter added: “These dedicated staff provide incredible patient care, going above and beyond their job description.

“They have been doing this for years because they are proud of the work they do,” she said. “Employees have seen others in a similar position across the country get recognition for their extra work and must not be left behind.”

She added: “Industrial action is a last resort, but staff believe that management have buried their heads in the sand and hoped the problem would resolve itself. That is not going to happen.”

Steve Torrance, Unison’s South East regional secretary, said: “Across the South East, low-paid health workers are working together for fair pay and recognition.

“This conflict is just the tip of the iceberg. Managers need to wake up to the reality that their employees are underpaid and feel undervalued.”

“Dedicated professionals in the NHS must receive the respect and pay they deserve,” added Mr Torrance.

Ms Slaughter called on trust leaders in Surrey and Sussex to “come to their senses” and resume negotiations to avert strikes.

This dispute is part of the union’s Fair Pay for Patient Care campaign, which has seen pay increases and back-pay agreements in some trusts dating back to April 2018.

Unison won victories in trusts across England, particularly in the north-west, where the campaign began in earnest with contested votes in Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

HCAs in Surrey and Sussex will strike from 7am on Tuesday 9 July and Wednesday 10 July. Unless negotiations resume, they will strike again on 25 and 26 July.

The Trust has been approached for comment.