PATIENTS stood alongside Barnsley hospital theatre nurses striking over demotions and a reduction in overnight surgical cover.
The GMB members demonstrated outside the main entrance on Monday during what is believed to be the town’s first walk out by nurses.
Regional GMB rep Joan Keane says Barnsley’s history means its workers are more passionate and less likely to fold at the first sign of a struggle.
As she spoke passing motorists beeped in solidarity as the nurses waved their placards and staff from other departments joined the demonstration during their lunch break.
Coun Fred Clowery, representing the Barnsley Independent Group, also spent time with the protesters.
Dorothy Ward has been a nurse for 40 years and a senior staff nurse for 14; she has been demoted to the status of a newly qualified staff nurse.
She said: “It’s appalling. They want us to do the same job but get paid less.”
