Skip to content
ADVERTISEMENT
News

Hospital porters ballot for industrial action in dispute over bathroom policies

The 59 porters, members of Unite, were informed they would be required to notify their managers before and after they go to the toilet.

3 min read
Share
Hospital porters ballot for industrial action in dispute over bathroom policies
ADVERTISEMENT

Hospital porters employed by University Hospital Southampton started balloting for industrial action from Monday 21st October, in a dispute around policies they claim impact on toilet and period dignity.

The 59 porters, members of Unite, were informed they would be required to notify their managers before and after they go to the toilet.

According to Unite, staff who have periods were required to inform management during their cycle in order to be granted additional toilet time.

The porters, who walk across the hospital premises, were allegedly denied breaks and were unable drink water.

In addition, the union claimed that management had removed chairs, preventing reporters from sitting down when waiting to move patients. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “The fact that Southampton hospital management thinks it is in any way acceptable to deny workers toilet and period dignity is shocking.

“Unite is fighting for a safe culture, safe staffing levels, and a safe working environment for the good of all patients and staff.”

Unite also noted that porters were only paid minimum wage, and many had resorted to using food banks.

ADVERTISEMENT

The industrial action ballot opened on Monday 21st October and will close on Monday 11th November.

If workers vote in favour of strikes, walkouts could begin next month.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jo Atkins-Potts, head of communications and campaigns at national charity Bloody Good Period, said: “No one should have to disclose personal information like their menstrual cycle to access basic rights at work.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This invasive and dehumanising behaviour has no place in any workplace, and we fully support efforts to end it.”

Kate Attwooll, regional officer at Unite, said: “Unite’s members are simply calling for their basic human rights to be respected and for patients to be treated safely.

“Patients will be concerned about the threat of strikes but this dispute is entirely the result of the appalling manner in which the hospital’s management is treating its workers.”

Steve Harris, chief people officer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS), said: “We were given notice by the Unite union that it is balloting its portering staff members on strike action, based on a range of issues including conduct, culture and working conditions. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our portering service and colleagues are a valuable and intrinsic part of the successful running of UHS and all we do for patients.

“Prior to the ballot, having been made aware of portering staff concerns, the Trust commissioned an independent external review, seeking views of all the portering department. 

“We have been in direct contact, verbally and in writing, with Unite and our portering staff to reassure them on a few specific concerns raised relating to claims made around Trust policy.

“Regarding breaks, we have reiterated on many occasions to our porters that there isn’t, and never has been, a requirement for any member of our staff to ask permission to take a bathroom break.

“Our porters are entitled to three official breaks during every shift and are actively encouraged to stay hydrated using any of the water cooler facilities throughout our hospitals. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“At UHS we want everyone who works here to feel they belong, are valued, respected and heard.

“We remain in active discussions with UNITE and local portering representatives to address the issues being raised and will continue to work constructively to resolve the dispute.

“Meanwhile, we are actively considering plans to ensure patient services and safety are maintained in the event a strike takes place.”

Workplace Journal reached out to University Hospital Southampton for comment.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT