SECURITY staff at Southampton General Hospital will strike for eight days as part of a dispute over pay rates, sick pay, and safety concerns, it has today been announced.

The 21 workers – who are part of union Unite – say they’re also being attacked on a “regular basis” by members of the public, with a meat cleaver, a rusty saw blade, and a five-inch knife all confiscated following incidents with security on hospital grounds.

Staff say they have asked employer Mitie Security to be kitted out with suitable protective equipment, such as stab vest, but as of yet this call has not been answered.

Union Unite adds that a lack of action by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust was another factor in members voting to walk-out.

Talks are scheduled to take place on March 26, but union bosses say that if these break down, 24-hour strikes will take place on April 5, April 19, and May 24. There will also be a 48-hour stoppage starting on May 3 and a further 72-hour strike on June 7.

An overtime ban will also come into force when the strikes begin next month.

Unite officer Scott Kemp said: “The lack of urgency on Mitie’s part to resolve these personal protection issues at the Tremona Road site is a disgrace – that’s why our members voted unanimously for eight days of strike action.

“Our members are at the forefront of providing security and a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors – that’s why Mitie’s management needs to get around the table and negotiate constructively.

“At present, if the security staff are injured at work, and if the resulting investigation finds in their favour, they get two weeks’ full pay and then two weeks’ half-pay. After that, it is the statutory minimum.

“What we want is enhanced sickness payments for those off work due to being injured. Our members are seeking six months’ full-pay, followed by six months’ half-pay for all sickness absences.”

Unite says that the demand for an increase in pay from the current £8.64 an hour reflects the “continuing stress of the job”. The security staff are seeking £10.50 for security officers and £12.16 for supervisors, with additional payments of 50p per hour on night rates, £1 an hour on Saturday, and double time on Sunday.

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have engaged with Mitie Security to ask them about their plans to resolve this dispute and maintain its service to the trust in the event strike action cannot be avoided and will continue to liaise with them on these issues.

“Our organisation has a close working relationship with Mitie security staff and greatly appreciate the service they provide, so it is important to us that Unite and Mitie meet together and agree how this situation will be resolved.”

A Mitie Security spokesperson added: “We have been working with the Trust on a new proposal which will be discussed with both Unite and Acas. In the event of strike action, we will ensure the hospital has adequate cover.

“We take the safety of our staff very seriously. Whilst none of our security guards have been directly targeted, we are piloting the use of safety gear and regularly talking to our team on site about personal protection equipment.”