Marvin OnumonuA planned strike by lab workers at Royal Liverpool University Hospital was called off after a car hit a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, injuring more than 50 people.
Over 50 microbiology staff from Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, part of the hospital trust, were due to walk out on 27th May after striking on 22nd and 23rd May over staff shortages and burnout.
Workers said they had concerns that short staffing was putting patients at risk.
After the incident, the team suspended their industrial action to support the major incident declared by the hospital trust.
Derek Jones, regional officer at Unite, said: “Following the tragic events in Liverpool, members took the immediate decision to suspend action so they could provide full support to the major incident which has been declared by the hospital trust.
“The dispute is not over and more action is planned – but we are urging Liverpool Clinical Laboratories to come back to the table and commit to addressing the problems with staffing and overwork.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) said: “We appreciate the swift and responsible action taken by Unite and their members, which enabled us to prioritise patient safety during a time of critical need as we responded to the incident that took place in Liverpool city centre on Monday.
“We acknowledge the importance of the issues raised by microbiology staff and remain committed to working together with Unite to address these and find a resolution to this dispute.”
