NHS workers walked out on strike in protest at pay.
Dozens of union members huddled in the rain to take part in a national strike.
They joined picket lines outside Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Ambulance Station in protest at the Government’s decision not to accept a recommended 1% pay rise for all NHS staff.
Picket lines began at 7am for four hours, and trade unionists will take other forms of industrial action for the rest of the week.
At HRI union a few dozen members gathered at gates on Acre Street and other entrances to the hospital.
And despite the cold and wet conditions members said they were prepared to take more industrial action if their was no movement from the Government.
At the main entrance to the infirmary, union members from Unison, Unite and the Royal College of Midwives were given toots of encouragement from passing vehicles.
Trade unionist, Paul Cooney, said: “It’s the first strike for pay in 32 years and it shows the strength of feeling there is.
“It’s mainly clinical staff here today; we’ve got theatre nurses, operating department practitioners, pharmacists, mental health nurses, house keeping staff and some office staff.
“In real terms we’ve all had cuts of about 10% and inflation is rising year on year.
“It’s had a real detrimental effect.
“Many many people are not only doing second jobs but they’re doing bank contracts, extra shifts, not only at this Trust but at other trusts.”
Mr Cooney said the cuts faced by Huddersfield and Calderdale hospital bosses exposed the “lie” that the government was protecting the NHS.
“This is about central government, it’s not about the local employer,” he said.
“The fact that this Trust alone is facing cuts of £20m this year and £19m next year show the lie that comes out of central government that they’ve ring fenced NHS spending.
“In the last four years we’ve seen cuts of at least 4% a year and this cannot be maintained, it endangers clinical care.”
A nurse on the picket line from the mental health liaison team, said extra shifts were now essential for many.
She said: “Before it was nice extra money now it’s just to help you survive and live day to day.
“One or two have got the 1% the rest of us get our increments and that’s all.”
She said her message to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt would be: “Respect us, we work hard, we deserve to be valued for the work we do.”
A practitioner in the operating department said: “I’m on strike against the government rather than the Trust.
“They’re trying to privatise the NHS by the back door.
“They’ve started by dropping all our wages while putting up the managers wages.
“The government accepted its independent pay review body recommendation of a 9% rise but its decided to ignore ours.”
Roger Keeley, a patient and member of the public supporter on the picket line, said: “I’ve had leukaemia for 20 years and I had treatment at this hospital, and I just think the NHS wonderful and the people that work in it are wonderful and I’m here to support them.
“It’s important that we’re fighting to save our NHS that’s being threatened by international corporate vultures who are trying to take it over for private profit.”
Dozens of ambulance drivers, paramedics and ambulance technicians gathered outside their base at Trinity Street.
No army staff were present but staff on strike said private firms were being used in other parts of the region.
Members were responding to the most serious “life and limb” calls.
A spokesman for the group on strike, said: “We just want them to stick to the agreement for 1% and not back track on it.
“When they can offer themselves an 9% pay rise and not offer us anything, I think it’s disgraceful.
“We’d much rather be out there doing our work but unfortunately we’re having to take this action.
“The public need to know that we’re not on big money, many are having to take second jobs to survive.”
Another member on strike said many were leaving the service because of the poor pay and conditions, including four from Dewsbury station.
He said: “People are leaving to go find jobs elsewhere.
“We’re really low on paramedic numbers.
“It’s a short term problem, it’s happening now.
“And people leaving is going to encourage others to go as they know they can get better paid jobs elsewhere.”
“We’re really low on paramedic numbers.
“It’s a short term problem, it’s happening now.
“And people leaving is going to encourage others to go as they know they can get better paid jobs elsewhere.”
Paramedic of 41 years, Alan Parkinson, said he’d come out of retirement just one month after leaving, to help with the shortage.
While not a union member, he said he supported his colleagues.
He said: “The front line lads are spending more time at work than they are at home.
“Everybody’s getting so cheesed-off with it, people are leaving.
“But these people do care, they’re dedicated staff. In the Huddersfield area we really are fortunate as we’ve got some fantastic staff.
“But they can only be pushed so far.”
