Health workers are staging pickets at hospitals across Sussex today in an escalating row over pay.
Members of Unison, Unite, the GMB and several other unions walked out for four hours from 7am.
This will be followed by action short of a strike from
tomorrow until Friday, when members will work to rule and not do any overtime.
The industrial action is over the Government’s refusal to implement a recommended 1% pay rise and follows similar strike action last month.
Those walking out are expected to include nurses,
paramedics, radiographers, therapists, cooks, cleaners, healthcare assistants and administration staff.
Unison regional organiser for Sussex, Caroline Fife, said: “No pay increase means staff working in the NHS are struggling to make ends meet due to high rents and the high cost
of housing.
"There are now NHS workers who have to miss meals as they have so little spare money after paying rent or mortgages and bills.”
Pickets are outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.
Unions will also be outside Aldrington House and Millview Hospital in Hove, Brighton General Hospital, Uckfield Hospital, Hill Rise in Newhaven and the psychiatric unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital.
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