Robison accused of holding up pay talks in porters dispute

A deafening cacophony of horns sounded outside health minister Shona Robinson’s offices in Dundee yesterday.

Striking hospital porters gathered to accuse the Dundeebased MSP of holding up pay talks between their union and NHS Tayside.

Unite spokesman Gary Miller said the latest protest had been organised to secure a resolution to the long-running strike, which has now lasted 11 weeks.

He said “After weeks apart we are finally round the table with the NHS and there has been progress made.

“We feel like we’re almost there and hopefully we can bring this to end, but while NHS Tayside appears willing to meet us in a compromise, it seems the Scottish Government is blocking it from doing so.

“We want to find out from Ms Robison why this is happening and would like to speak to her again face to face to get answers.”

Mr Miller revealed that 14 porters have returned to work following an offer to change their status from part-time to full-time.

Unite union spokesman Gary Miller speaks to the media.