Hundreds of healthcare assistants at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth are being asked if they would be prepared to take strike action over pay, says UNISON today (Friday).
The band 2 staff, employed by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, say they have been underpaid for their work for years.
A consultation is now underway, with workers being asked whether they would be prepared to take strike action if the employer fails to respond to and resolve the issue.
UNISON says a grievance was submitted to University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust three weeks ago, but it is yet to be acknowledged by the Trust.
According to NHS guidance, healthcare assistants on salary band 2 should only be providing personal care such as bathing and feeding patients.
However, the support staff are routinely undertaking clinical tasks, such as taking and monitoring blood, performing electrocardiogram tests, and inserting cannulas, says UNISON.
The guidance says staff performing these more complex duties should be on salary band 3, which is almost £2,000 a year more.
UNISON is calling for the health workers to be moved to the correct higher grade and to receive back pay for their previous work, according to how long they have worked at the hospital.
UNISON South West regional secretary Kerry Baigent said: “It’s time University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust followed the lead of other trusts and paid its healthcare assistants fairly.
“Staff are not prepared to have their hard work undervalued. If the trust continues to refuse to pay them properly then the health workers will be left with little option but to take strike action.
“Managers should do the right thing now and avoid risking needless disruption for patients.”
