Union protests over alleged lack of hospital security

A petition signed by up to 400 staff was due to be presented to the chief executive of the hospital's NHS trust, Bob Allen, later that day.

Gary Baker, area organiser for the General Municipal and Boilermakers Union, said that there was a general lack of security at the hospital, and claimed that on New Year's Eve there had been no security whatsoever.

He added that this was not an isolated incident. There had been no security staff on night shift last weekend either.

"This is not the first time that we have raised concerns about the private security company and the level of service it is providing," he said. "We mustn't forget that the people who use and work at Airedale Hospital actually pay for this service through car parking charges.

"We are not just worried about the staff, but the general public at large and we want the hospital to do whatever it can to protect them."

At the centre of the row is former senior security guard Joe Brady, from Halifax. He resigned from his position after problems at the hospital. When he asked to retract his resignation the private security firm, CP Plus Ltd refused to give him his job back.

Now, unions are saying that it is "crazy" Mr Brady, who wants to work at the hospital, is not allowed to work there, even though it is understaffed. They are demanding the company reinstate him.

Mr Brady told the Herald: "I just want to go back to work, that's all it is. I expect to hear by Monday what has been decided. I am extremely upset and disappointed. I feel hurt."

Mr Brady's wife, Elaine, joined yesterday's protesters who gave leaflets out to passing motorists calling for her husband's reinstation.

Branch secretary John Durkin, a medical technician with West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, said: "I have never agreed that the private sector should be involved in any way with the National Health Service. This company has refused to meet the union. All we want to do this is discuss this logically."

Steve Fowler, chairman of the hospital's staff committee, added: "Last Friday, instead of three security staff there were none and on Saturday there was only one instead of three.

"The company is failing to provide the security cover. This is very worrying. Security is especially important on Friday and Saturdays when people can come to the emergency department drunk. We are frightened that staff are not being protected."

The GMB is seeking a meeting with Mr Allen, and CP Plus Ltd. It is also considering further action if the situation is not resolved.

"I would like to be able to sit down and speak to Bob Allen face to face, and try to resolve the ongoing issue," he said.

"It would be interesting to see what would happen if everybody refused to pay the car parking charges. I think people are quite within their rights to not pay for their tickets. They are actually paying for this service."

As the Herald reported previously, the car parking charges are among the highest in the area, which the hospital justifies by saying they pay for security measures.

Ian Langdon, CP Plus's senior operations executive, has refused to discuss the claims. "We won't discuss company matters," he said.

In a statement, Mr Allen said: "I am quite happy with the security arrangements at the hospital. The union has raised concerns in the past about training and we have dealt with them. We have a contract with this company which we regularly monitor and we are satisfied that they are meeting the conditions."