Strike Action On The Cards, As Salford Pathologists Face £6,000 Pay Axe

The threat of industrial action by pathology staff at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is on the cards, Unite, the largest union in the country, has warned.

The threat comes in the wake of a proposal by trust managers, which could slash up to £6,000-a-year off some salaries and is the last straw for many staff, who have recently seen £200 million spent on re-development of the Salford hospital site.

About 60 affected staff are challenging the plans through the trust’s internal procedures - a grievance hearing is set for Thursday 9 August. But, if that fails, there is the threat of an industrial action ballot.

This dispute follows the merger with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh’s pathology services and is centred on plans to downgrade already demoralised staff.

Unite regional officer Gary Owen said: “The trust’s answer to saving money is to give another kick in the teeth to its loyal and professional staff.”

Staff have already endured a three-year pay freeze, a huge reduction in payments for working unsocial hours, and imposed increases in their pension contributions by the coalition government.

Unite said that biochemistry at the trust is on the risk register due to staffing issues, as at least six staff have left to find other jobs. Biochemistry was “at breaking point”.

Gary Owen added: “As a result of these various elements, some staff have complained of losses in earnings of up to 30 per cent - and this proposed reorganisation will add to that.

“This has meant that some of our members have had to re-mortgage their properties, or rent them out and move in with friends and family.

“These are qualified professional healthcare scientists, who provide diagnostic tests on GP samples and on samples from hospital inpatients and outpatients, often in emergency situations that can mean the difference between life and death.

“The result will be cuts to salary, staff performing below their capabilities, and an inevitable loss of qualified staff to other hospitals, as they try to hang on to a decent standard of living for themselves and their families.

“The trust has yet to provide the full evidence of the savings it is required to make, despite Unite’s repeated requests – but if they think they can achieve that by slashing our members’ professionalism – and along with it, their wages – then they had better think again.

“We urge the trust to work with us to examine other ways of making the efficiency savings it alleges are required.”

(CD)