Hertfordshire hospital staff are manning the picket lines this morning as strikes take place around the country.
Nurses, therapists, paramedics, medical secretaries and porters at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage walked out at 7am in a dispute over wages.
National strike action was voted for by unions UNISON, GMB and Unite after the coalition government refused a one per cent pay increase for healthcare workers.
For the first time in 133 years they will be joined by midwives after the Royal College of Midwives voted for action.
Taking place until 11am, midwives will only take part if they are involved with anti-natal and post-natal appointments.
From Tuesday until Friday union members will take further action, stopping just short of strikes, by taking their contractual and statutory breaks.
Staff will not be paid for the time they spend on the picket lines.
A memo sent to staff members seen by this paper told staff to think carefully about how their actions would affect patient care.
It added: “The trust is taking measures to ensure that services and the quality of patient care is not compromised.”
Members of staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and the QE2 Hospital in Welwyn Garden City are also taking part in the strikes.
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