University Hospital Southampton Porters Suspend Planned Strike After Negotiations

A union announced that a planned strike by hospital porters, who had accused management of enforcing “diabolical” toilet break policies, has been suspended following “last ditch talks”. Employees at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) had previously informed the BBC that they were required to seek permission for toilet breaks, with female staff needing to request additional time if they were menstruating. The industrial action was scheduled to commence on Thursday, but Unite stated that the suspension was made “to allow hospital management to resolve the outstanding issues”. Joe Teape, chief operating officer at UHS, stated that the organization was “committed to working with portering representatives to resolve this dispute”. He added, “Our porters are an essential part of the successful running of our organisation.” “We are pleased that today’s planned industrial action has been postponed,” Teape also stated. Chief people officer Steve Harris had previously indicated that he had commissioned a review into the culture within the department, and affirmed that porters were entitled to breaks. He further clarified, “No-one in the organisation is required to essentially inform their supervisor or their manager when they’re menstruating.” Unite reported that more than 60 porters had been scheduled to strike for 24 hours. A spokesperson for the union stated, “Following last minute talks at [conciliation service] Acas, Unite has agreed to suspend today’s strike action.” The spokesperson added, “This was made as an act of good faith and to allow hospital management to resolve the outstanding issues that have created this dispute.” Unite indicated that further industrial action planned for each Friday and Monday in December and January would proceed as scheduled from 6 December if “hospital management fails to agree to take action to resolve the problems at the heart of the dispute”.