Pharmacy workers go on strike over pay
Pharmacy support workers, who claim they are among the lowest paid workers at NHS Tayside, have walked out in demonstration that their pay does not match their responsibilities.
Describing themselves as “indispensable”, the pharmacy support workers who are members of Unite were not at their posts in Perth Royal Infirmary yesterday.
They have vowed to remain on strike for as long “as it takes” to reach an agreement over pay banding.
Yesterday morning the group of around 10 Perth-based pharmacy support workers were brought coffee and bacon rolls by supporters and tooted by passing motorists.
One protester said: “Everyone here is very committed.
“We will remain here, in plain view, until this gets us a result.”
The support staff, who make sure medicines and prescriptions are dispensed and delivered daily on hospital wards, say they are angry as their job descriptions have changed over time, with more additional tasks expected.
Yet despite taking on extra responsibilities, a review has judged this is not enough to move them from the low band ‘two’ pay grade (£18,000£21,000) to a band ‘three’.
Dougie Maguire, Unite’s regional coordinating officer, spoke to the PA when he visited the Perth picket line at PRI’s Jeanfield Road entrance.
He said: “NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government have done nothing to prevent this strike action starting today.
“I hope to see this resolved soon.
“The pharmacy support workers have adapted to take on extra tasks and have complied with NHS Tayside’s requirements that they gain more qualifications to do their job.
“There have been several reevaluations and each time the evaluation panel has scored them a three or the next band up.
“But the consistency panel has raised questions and that is how it has been left.
“NHS Tayside said that decision could not be appealed, end of.
“But Unite has discovered they were entitled to an appeal.
“I’m keen for the public to know that this group of workers religiously come to work, they follow every process that is asked of them.”
He described how recent attempts to speak about a way forward had come to nothing: “Earlier this month we were expecting a meeting in Kilmarnock regarding an appeal process.
“In the week before, when we were preparing to go along, we heard nothing.
“Our group was about to leave Dundee for Kilmarnock on the morning of Friday, August 9, the day of the meeting, when NHS Tayside phoned to say it was cancelled.
“We took a ballot and unanimously our members voted for indefinite industrial action in Tayside.
“Unite had no option but to carry out the wishes of its members.
“We are out at every hospital in Tayside.
“There are 39 Unite members out of 41 pharmacy support workers employed in the region.
“We are still trying to find resolution but unfortunately no one is speaking to us.
“It was very unusual not to have been spoken to at all before today’s walkout.
“It was known to NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government that we would be taking action today.
“A voicemail was left by George Doherty, the workforce director, asking us to call it off at 4.30pm on Friday.
“I would have expected NHS Tayside and the health department to ask for a conversation, but they have done nothing to prevent this situation.”
Unite leaflets on offer at PRI alleged the workers had been unfairly treated and described how their role was “unrecognisable” compared to 15 years ago.
George Doherty, director of workforce for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside has been in
On the first day of action yesterday, pharmacy support workers Gary Niblock (left) and Sandy Anderson (right) were joined by their Unite regional coordinator, Dougie Maguire
ongoing dialogue to resolve this dispute locally with Unite.
“We formally referred this matter for independent consideration to the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC).
“This is the senior independent body in NHS Scotland responsible for terms and conditions issues.
“NHS Tayside has always sought to avoid any industrial action and remains committed to working with Unite in
Pharmacy support workers outside PRI yesterday
accordance with the nationallyagreed framework.
“NHS Tayside hopes that STAC will provide a means of resolution.
“Patient safety, care and treatment will always be our overriding consideration.
“We have robust contingency plans in place to minimise any potential disruption so that we can continue to deliver the highest standards of care to all our patients. Services have been running as normal today.”