A STRIKE by mental health workers in support of sacked nurse Karen Reissmann is to continue, despite her losing an appeal against the decision to dismiss her.

The union rep, who has spoken out against NHS cuts, was sacked by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust in November after talking to the media.

The sacking triggered an indefinite strike by up to 150 mental health workers in Manchester, which has been backed by Unison and other trade unions across the country.

Ms Reissmann has vowed to fight on and revealed that union members had decided to carry on the strike.

Supporters gathered for a rally in the city centre.

Angry

She said: "People are angry. They feel I have been sacked for speaking out and are worried that decisions will be made in the future without staff being able to voice their concerns.

"Members of the union have decided that they are not going to stop the strike."

She said her union will look at taking the trust to the European Court of Human Rights.

Ms Reissmann said: "We're not going away. The issue is too important. I may not have won my job back so far, but I think we have won the argument - the moral authority - and have raised the bar in terms of expectation that we don't have to put up with being a Cinderella service anymore."

Steve Stott, of Unison, said: "These workers who have taken many days of strike action have a feeling that they have come through this with a sense of dignity and respect and that their sacrifice is not in vain.

"They have the health service at heart and are committed, professional staff. They have an absolute commitment to pursuing this matter."

A spokesman for the trust said: "The trust's internal processes regarding Ms Reissmann are now at an end.

"We now encourage all our staff who have been on strike to return to providing the care and support their patients need.

"We recognise that Christmas is a difficult time for our service users and we know they would value access to their regular carers."

Sheila Foley, the trust's chief executive, said: "We now want to look to the future.

Improvements

"If we are to make the much needed improvements to mental health services in Manchester then we need everyone back at work.

"Improving care and services is the job I was brought here to do, it's what I want to get on with and everyone within the trust has a part to play in being able to achieve it.

"As a part of that process I want positive dialogue with Unison. It is vital for our carers and service users that the Trust now puts this episode behind them and moves on."

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