Health workers to be balloted on industrial action

Hundreds of health workers are to vote in an industrial action ballot over claims they had been threatened with so-called "fire and rehire", a union has said.

Over 600 GMB members at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust would take part in an indicative ballot in the coming weeks, with the union claiming the trust wanted to impose new contracts on roles including nurses, technicians and clerical workers, remove paid breaks and impose longer unpaid breaks.

Rachel Dix, GMB organiser, said the move was "a demoralising and unfair attack" on workers' terms and conditions.

A trust spokesperson said the proposals would "bring the trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital trusts".

However, Dix said: "These front-line NHS workers already work long hours in incredibly stressful jobs."

Workers who rejected the change would be sacked and rehired on a worse contract, the GMB claimed.

Another ballot would have to be held before any industrial action goes ahead.

A Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "These proposals would bring the trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital trusts and with the national NHS terms and conditions that were agreed some years ago by trade unions and the NHS.

"It would provide more staff on duty for patients and reduce reliance on temporary staff. Evidence shows this would improve patient care and safety, support staff wellbeing, reduce healthcare costs and improve staff retention."

The trust had undertaken eight months of consultation with affected staff and trade unions, and those discussions were continuing, the spokesperson said.

"The GMB has not notified the trust, as it is required to do, of its intention to undertake a ballot for industrial action," they added.

"Staff wellbeing is a priority for the trust. Ensuring colleagues have adequate rest breaks is essential to mitigate fatigue and maintain health.

"We remain committed to appropriate breaks in line with best practice and national NHS terms and conditions."

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