NHS workers at Whiston Hospital went out on strike after negotiations for better pay reached a stalemate.

The ‘highly skilled’ scientists working in a microbiology team at Whiston Hospital started their first day on strike last Thursday, March 14, after announcing plans for 36 days of action between March and June.

The workers’ dispute is with Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as the scientists fight for better pay.

According to Unite the Union members had been told they did not qualify for a £4,000 essential services payment other department members had received.

READ > The town where people 'don't see a reason to leave' featured on BBC

Unite regional officer Imran Akram said: “Our members on Merseyside do valuable and vital work for the hospital and patients yet they are being unfairly treated compared to their colleagues. This is simply unacceptable.

“The trust needs to pay its workers fairly to avoid seeing workers on the picket line again outside its hospital. Today’s action shows the depth of anger among our members.”

The scientists could be seen outside Whiston Hospital this morning as they set up a picket line to protest and ask people to back NHS workers.

A spokesperson for Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS (MWL) said: “The Trust is committed to ensuring all staff are paid fairly for the work they do.

“Unfortunately, despite many open discussions over recent months between the Trust and regional UNITE colleagues the decision was taken by a small number of staff to pursue action.

“We remain determined to do the right thing by all our staff and will continue with our efforts to resolve the issue.”

However, a Unite union representative said attempts to discuss the matter with line managers at the hospital had been ignored and all grievance procedures had been exhausted.

In a previously released statement, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is disgraceful behaviour from their employer and Unite will not stand for it. We will be backing our members 100% in their fight for fair pay.”

Ms Graham also drew attention to the workers commitment – particularly through the pandemic when they covered all Covid testing for the region. She added: “These highly skilled and experienced scientists have seen colleagues doing similar work being rewarded and have been hung out to dry by the NHS trust”.