Porters at University Hospital Southampton have suspended strike action scheduled for this weekend after negotiations surrounding bullying and harassment continue.

The 60 plus staff were set to go on strike on Friday December 6 and Monday December 9 but have postponed action while talks with conciliation service Acas continue.

Members of trade union Unite voted to take a stand over bullying issues after porters were informed that they were required to notify their managers before and after they go to the toilet.

The Echo understands that while progress is being made in negotations, the dispute is complex as issues involving bullying are different person to person, and therefore cannot be solved all at once.

If an agreement is not reached by Friday December 13, then staff will carry out strikes every Friday and Monday throughout December and January, the Echo has been told.

READ MORE: University Hospital Southampton porters set to strike over toilet use

Staff voted to take a stand due to having to work under appalling conditions.

Porters who have periods are required to tell management during their cycle, otherwise they are not granted additional toilet time.

Porters, who must walk all across hospital premises and are only paid minimum wage, were also denied breaks and therefore cannot drink water.

They also say their chairs have also been removed so they cannot sit down while waiting for patients to be moved.

Prior strikes were set to start on November 28 but were suspended after last minute negotiations.

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Steve Harris, chief people officer at University Hospital Southampton, previously told the Echo: “Our portering service and colleagues are a valuable and intrinsic part of the successful running of UHS and all we do for patients.

“Regarding breaks, we have reiterated on many occasions to our porters that there isn’t, and never has been, a requirement for any member of our staff to ask permission to take a bathroom break.”

"Our porters are entitled to three official breaks during every shift and are actively encouraged to stay hydrated using any of the water cooler facilities throughout our hospitals.”

“At UHS we want everyone who works here to feel they belong, are valued, respected and heard.”