Striking health workers thank public for support

'IT'S AN INSULT WHEN YOU CAN EARN MORE MONEY IN A COFFEE SHOP'

- ALISON STEPHENSON

HEALTHCARE workers at Derriford Hospital who are demanding payscale reviews have thanked the support of the public during a two-day strike. More than 100 workers stood on the picket line on Monday and Tuesday after saying they had been “totally undervalued”.

The 48-hour strike involved healthcare assistants (HCAs), maternity care assistants, imaging care assistants and clinical support workers. Unison said that workers, who support nurses and other clinical staff, want fair pay that better reflects their important role in patient care.

Despite their responsibilities increasing, the union claims this has not been recognised by the employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust nor have they been paid properly. Union representative and healthcare worker Liam Shrigley said the public backed the strike.

“The support has been amazing, people have been cheering and driving past beeping their horns. We do not want to be doing this, we would rather be looking after our patients, but we feel totally undervalued and we want meaningful discussions to take place between the union and trust.”