STAFF at the John Radcliffe are striking this morning in an ongoing row over pay.

There are approximately 25 people out protesting.

Cars are honking in support as they drive past the Headington hospital as nurses, cleaners and support workers chant "no pay no way".

Kim Chaulk is a support worker. She said: "It's disgusting how little we get paid. I wanted to speak out and represent carers across the country." 

Members of 11 unions in England and Northern Ireland are taking part in the strike from 7am to 11am (midday for radiology), with picket lines at a number of Oxfordshire hospitals including the Churchill, John Radcliffe, Horton General and Abingdon.

It follows a strike on October 13 which saw thousands of NHS workers walk out in a four-hour strike.

More than 400,000 workers are expected to join the strike, which will be followed by a work to rule for the rest of the week.

The dispute stems from a government decision not to accept the recommendation of the NHS Pay Review Body that all NHS staff should receive a one per cent pay rise.

Royal College of Midwives chief executive Cathy Warwick said: “I was overwhelmed by the response of our members to the previous industrial action and I urge them to respond equally today.

“I am also very heartened to see that public support for a one per cent award for NHS staff has remained high since that industrial action.”

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