Security staff
Last month, security staff at Southampton General Hospital voted to take eight days of strike action in a dispute involving violence at work and other issues.
Their union, Unite, reported that neither the employer, Mitie Security Ltd, nor trust management had made any effort to resolve the dispute since a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) was revealed.
Unite says its 21 security staff members at the hospital are being attacked in the A&E department on a regular basis by members of the public who are either under the influence of alcohol and drugs or who have mental health problems. It said Mitie has failed to provide PPE.
The union is also calling for better sick pay arrangements and higher pay to reflect the stress of the job.