Vote shows NHS transport staff willing to strike

Dispute: Tensions rise amid claims of bullying

NHS staff who transport lifesaving equipment between north-east hospitals have indicated unanimous backing for possible strike action – if a dispute with “Stone Age” bosses is not resolved.

GMB members voted in a consultative ballot and backed a walkout amid claims of management “intimidation” and “aggression”.

Around 40 drivers and workers at NHS Grampian’s Central Stores at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, have indicated support for potential industrial action, including strikes, if concerns are not addressed quickly.

The staff move vital equipment – including dialysis machines and incubators – around the north-east.

The GMB has held talks with the health board in recent weeks but has been frustrated over the rate of progress.

If talks break down, a second ballot would be needed ahead of any action.

Previously staff – who asked for anonymity due to fear of reprisals – claimed bullying was escalating and made “life not worth living”.

A source said bosses’ behaviour was even worse than what was outlined in the governmentcommissioned Sturrock Report, which probed bullying and harassment within NHS Highland.

Last night, GMB organiser Melanie Greenhalgh said: “There is some concern about how long talks are taking while staff are still facing problems.

“This is a call to really take on board the need for resolution and for management to communicate with their staff.

“There is still intimidation and aggression coming from management towards staff, which is affecting their mental health.”

Ms Greenhalgh spoke of a “control and concede” style of management that was “extremely Stone Age”.

The row between Central Stores staff and their managers first emerged last July when safety concerns were raised over the safety of a new fleet of lorries.

Drivers feared the new Mitsubishi Fuso Canters were not as safe or comfortable as those they were replacing.

NHS Grampian governance rules dictate staff should be consulted on new equipment bought for their use, and the union denied this had happened.

A c h a n g e f r o m hydraulic to manual lifting equipment has also sparked anger, while differing terms and conditions for agency workers has left full-time staff feeling aggrieved.

Last night a spokesman for NHS Grampian said nobody had come forward to HR staff and reported the issues directly.

He said: “NHS Grampian continues to work closely with all staff and trade union representatives around a number of concerns raised within the service. Staff have been advised they can confidentially contact named officers within the HR Department to raise any concerns they have with us – to date we have not received any such calls.

“We remain committed to working in partnership through a range of actions to move to a mutually agreeable position.”