Planned strike action by porters at Southampton hospital has been suspended after workers accepted proposals set to end "over a decade of abuse and misconduct".

Over 60 porters were set to strike after claiming their toilet breaks and periods were monitored and that they were barred from taking water breaks while on duty.

Staff also said that their chairs had been taken away, so they were unable to sit during long wait times as patients were being transferred.

Concerns were raised as a number of porters claimed they had to resort to using food banks to feed their families, as higher paid weekend shifts were given out to private agency workers.

Planned strikes for December and January have been called off entirely after Unite the Union members voted to accept an agreement reached with the hospital.

READ MORE: University Hospital Southampton porters suspend strike action

Unite says University Hospital Southampton has committed to implementing a 67-point plan to improve the experience of the porters’ work standards.

An official apology will be issued to all affected staff and compassionate breaks will be introduced.

Other key points include the introduction of coaching and leadership training, shifts prioritising NHS staff by reducing agency shifts to sick cover and annual leave and a new rota guaranteeing fixed shifts for NHS porters.

Strikes have been suspended until summer 2025 - if standards drop before this date then industrial action will be resumed.

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

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a tremendously important victory for a group of low paid workers who had been systemically mistreated by management.

“By being prepared to stand up and be counted, while willing to take industrial action, the porters have ensured a dramatic improvement in their working conditions. Their bravery should be applauded.”

Unite regional officer Kate Attwooll said: “Porters are the lifeblood of the NHS, putting patients first and connecting with compassion and care on a daily basis.

“This is a group of amazing human beings and they deserve to feel safe and valued at work.

“This has been an extremely challenging and complex dispute, uncovering over a decade of abuse and misconduct by management.”

A spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Following constructive discussions with UNITE, porters at UHS have cancelled the planned industrial action in December and January. 

“With ACAS support, an agreement has been reached on a range of actions aimed at significantly improving the experience of our portering staff. 

“Porters play a vital role in the safe operation of our services and patient care. UHS is committed to collaborating with UNITE to implement the mutually agreed actions as a priority, and to ensuring porters feel valued and included across the organisation.”