UPDATED - Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust staff vote for more strike action

Unison said 2,500 of its members at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust were balloted in the dispute, which has already lead to nine days of strike action at the trust.

Hundreds of staff went on strike last year after admin and clerical staff were told to accept pay cuts of up to £2,800.

Now a huge escalation of the action could hit Mid Yorkshire, which runs Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury Hospitals after Unison announced a yes vote.

Jim Bell, Unison’s regional organiser, said: “We have successfully opposed management’s original plans to make 80 compulsory redundancies but there are still major issues to discuss regarding downbanding of pay and the length of time our members’ pay is protected from the effects of that.

“We have a mandate for further industrial action and we are seeking talks with the management to reach agreements and avoid a strike.

“Many of our members have never taken industrial action before this dispute and feel they have been forced into this by the attacks on their pay and conditions.

“Both sides in this dispute have contacted the arbitration service ACAS with a view to negotiating agreements and I will be seeking to open talks as soon as possible to try to resolve our genuine concerns.”