UNISON members, the porter/drivers in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, have won their campaign for re-banding and back pay after 27 days of strike action.
By Kevin Corran, UNISON Greater Manchester Mental Health branch (personal capacity)
Porter/drivers do a vital job delivering essential items, blood test results, medications, hot meals and much more to the wards throughout the trust. Last year, the workers went through a re-banding process. Following an agreed NHS Agenda for Change process, these low-paid workers were re-banded from a Band 2 (the lowest pay in the NHS) to Band 3. With the union negotiating two years backpay, we agreed a date with the employer, 26 June 2025, to pay these workers.
The trust then inexplicably reneged on this at the last minute. Understandably, the drivers were extremely angry about this injustice and voted unanimously for strike action. Strike action was organised in escalating blocks of a week and two weeks.
Our picket lines were vibrant, militant and confident throughout the 27 days of strike action, with us planning another three weeks of strike action with a ‘mega-picket” outside the hospital on Friday 1 May. We also planned to lobby the Integrated Care Board in Manchester, Andy Burnham’s Mayoral Office, and to step up our media campaign.
Instead, on Tuesday 21 April, the employer shifted position after facing the planned escalation and determination of the workers, offering the Band 3 and back pay going back to July 2024.
The strikers went off for private discussions and reported that they had accepted the offer unanimously.
These low-paid key workers were conscious that their struggle will be key in our region. Other NHS driver/porters on Band 2 can use this victory in their own battles for upgrading to Band 3. UNISON and Unite members at other hospitals have also visited the picket to learn more about how to fight.
When the workers’ movement moves into action, shows solidarity and support, then the employer is exposed as the weaker competitor in this class struggle. They underestimated the strength of eleven low-paid workers to fight an obvious injustice, and the backing they could rely upon from their union and the wider working-class community.
