Southampton Hospital Porters’ Strike Postponed Again

Industrial action by more than 60 hospital porters has been suspended for a second time. Staff at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) had intended to cease work, having accused managers of implementing “diabolical” toilet break rules. They had previously informed the BBC that they were required to seek permission to use the toilet, with female staff needing to request additional time if they were menstruating. The Unite union stated that the action, which was scheduled for Friday and Monday 9 December, has been put on hold to “allow for further negotiations to resolve the dispute.” This development follows a week after previous strike action was cancelled. However, the union has affirmed that strikes planned for Fridays and Mondays throughout the remainder of December and January will proceed “if a satisfactory agreement is not reached.” Joe Teape, chief operating officer at UHS, had previously stated that the organization was “committed to working with portering representatives to resolve this dispute.”