NHS workers set for strike action across Glasgow in pay dispute

Workers at Scotland's largest health board say they have been left with no option other than to go on strike in a dispute over pay.

Ward clerks at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) say their job responsibilities have dramatically increased in recent years, but without a boost in pay to go with it.

A recent ballot saw 98% of staff who responded vote in favour of taking strike action, with dates still to be set for the walk out.

The health board said it was continuing to meet with trade unions in an attempt to find a solution.

The clerks are currently on the lowest NHS pay grade, with their work involving organising appointments, co-ordinating patient transport and acting as a point of contact for patients, relatives and staff.

Should they go on strike, those tasks would fall to doctors and nurses.

Staff who spoke to BBC Scotland News during a protest at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital said the dispute goes back several years.

One worker with about two decades of experience, who did not want to be named, said: "We are doing more work that is now well above our pay grade.

"This is our last resort as we do not want to go out on strike.

"We know if we walk out it will put our doctors and nurses under severe pressure - but enough is enough.

"We hope management will get back around the table about this. It's not just money, but about respect and recognition."

Another experienced worker, who was also reluctant to be named, added: "Everything changed with Covid.

"We're now in charge of death certificates for example, which used to be handled by doctors.

"So that's dealing with registers, sorting the next of kin details and things like that."

The worker added they also had to deal with short term and emergency detention certificates, which they said had increased in recent years due to a backlog of mental health cases.

They said: "These are legal documents that need to be done quickly and effectively, or there is a massive impact on people.

"That means the workload is greater and so is the pressure on you."

The Unison union warned strike action by the ward clerks would affect every hospital in the NHSGGC region.

Branch secretary Frances Carmichael said: "Band 2 is the lowest rate you can get within our terms and conditions.

"Going up to even the next level will let them enjoy their lives rather than just existing to work."

A spokesperson for the health board said it is "committed to fair pay", with wages "independently calculated based on the cost of living".

They added: "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde greatly value the work of our ward clerks and remain committed to working in partnership with them to deliver a high-quality service to our patients.

"We continue to meet with trade unions as we seek a resolution to these matters."