HUNDREDS of workers at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust warned today of strike action after bosses threatened to fire and rehire them.

An overwhelming majority (97 per cent) of the 600 GMB union members who took part in the consultative ballot said they were ready to walk out.

The dispute concerns new contracts of employment issued by hospital management, which the union said would remove the right to a paid 20-minute break.

GMB organiser Rachel Dix said: “We await their response, but our members are clear — they are prepared to take this all the way unless the hostile act of fire and rehire is halted and their breaks remain untouched.

“Hundreds of GMB members at Barnsley hospital voted overwhelmingly for strike action if the trust does not stop this attack on removing paid breaks, increasing unpaid time at work.”

A Barnsley Hospital spokesperson said: “The proposals would bring the Trust into line with almost all other NHS hospital Trusts and with the national NHS terms and conditions that were agreed some years ago by Trade Unions and the NHS. It would provide more staff on duty for patients and reduce reliance on temporary staff.

“Evidence shows this would improve patient care and safety, support staff wellbeing, reduce healthcare costs and improve staff retention. The Trust has undertaken eight months of consultation with affected staff and trade unions and these discussions continue.

“The GMB has not undertaken a formal ballot for industrial action but have submitted an internal collective grievance which will be heard in accordance with Trust policies. We continue to engage with staff, trade unions and ACAS in order to try to address outstanding concerns. Of the approximately 1,500 colleagues impacted by the proposed changes, over 1,000 have signed to accept the revised terms and conditions.

“Staff wellbeing is a priority for the Trust. Ensuring colleagues have adequate rest breaks is essential to mitigate fatigue and maintain health. We remain committed to appropriate breaks in line with best practice and national NHS terms and conditions.

“This process was driven by our commitment to fairness and consistency, addressing long-standing informal arrangements and variations in how breaks were taken across departments, which raised concerns about equity among other staff groups with unpaid breaks.”