Unite says government is failing the country as NHS strikes spread    

Around 70 biomedical scientists at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will strike at Royal Blackburn hospital from 0700 hrs to 1900 hrs on Wednesday (22 February). 

The workers’ union, Unite, says that more strikes will be scheduled if the government fails to address poor pay and unsafe staffing across the NHS. 

With more ambulance worker strikes also set for the coming weeks, Unite has again hit out at the prime minister for failing to get into the room to address chronic low pay and unsustainable workloads. These issues are driving a recruitment and retention crisis and devastating the NHS.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government’s refusal to do its job, to get around the table and negotiate a solution to these strikes, is frankly shocking. They are failing the country and failing the NHS.

“The strikes are spreading. More health workers are taking a stand for patients and for decent pay. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak remains missing in action. 

“Unite’s NHS members are fighting for the future of our health service. They are faced with a government that appears to be hell-bent on destroying it. They have their union’s full support.”

The biomedical scientists are part of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s pathology department. They analyse patients blood samples at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Teaching Hospital. 

Unite regional officer Keith Hutson said: “NHS workers are striking because they know without a proper pay rise, more staff will leave the health service. This will turn the current crisis in patient care into a disaster.”

ENDS 

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.

Email: [email protected] 

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.