Ian Johnston reports on an important victory for Band 2 NHS drivers across the Manchester region. He describes how 100% support from Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Unison for industrial strike action kept the strikers’ morale high when GMMH NHS Trust reneged on re-banding agreements

Unison Porter Drivers in Manchester have agreed to a significant offer following 27 days of industrial action.

The Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) workers walked out after GMMH chose to circumvent the jointly agreed Agenda for Change process.

The Porter Drivers, based in Prestwich, north Manchester, had appealed their Band 2 Job Description using the GMMH Job Evaluation process. The job description had been re-banded as a Band 3, and GMMH had initially discussed providing outstanding backpay. However, without any discussion or agreement, GMMH suddenly decided to breach their own agreed Agenda For Change process. insisting on an external assessment – despite the fact that the re-banding had already been checked by the GMMH Consistency Panel.

These crucial NHS workers were balloted by GMMH UNISON and on a 100% turnout there was 100% support for industrial action in the absence of any proposed resolution by GMMH. They will now be moved up to Band 3 and receive back pay to July 2024.

Kevin Corran (Assistant Branch Secretary, GMMH UNISON) said: “It was the solidarity of the wider workers movement that kept the strikers’ morale high. It is a really important victory for other Band 2 NHS Drivers across our Region”.