Members at BBraun Sterilog Birmingham ltd are taking part in a 48 hour strike in connection with a dispute over the enforced removal of breaks. A 48 hour stoppage began at midnight on the 17 December 2015. This follows a 24 hour strike on the 26 November 2015.
Unions representing the staff have tried to negotiate a way forward but the company, which provides sterile services to NHS Trusts in and around Birmingham, have refused to agree terms. In a bizarre twist BBraun have stated that staff who take part in industrial action will be forced to work Christmas Day.
Ray Salmon, UNISON Regional Organiser, said.
“I have never had a company use Christmas Day as a weapon in an industrial dispute in the way the Bbraun have. They have sunk to an all time low in my view. Instead of negotiating a compromise to the agreement they are intent on bullying staff. They claim to care about staff but their actions clearly demonstrate they don’t. It seems Scrooge is alive and well in Bbraun’
UNISON has approached the NHS Trusts to ask them to intervene but they have refused and claim the dispute is not affecting the services to the public.”
Ray added
“with all the problems in the NHS I am amazed that a dispute over breaks in the workplace has reached this stage. No one is listening to the staff who have genuine reasons for needing their breaks.
Staff at BBraun sterilise medical instruments in a controlled environment which can be hot and unpleasant. They are prevented from taking drinks or snacks into the workplace due to the sterile nature of their work.”
