NHS bosses say they have drafted in emergency cover as porters at two hospitals prepare to walk out on strike over low pay.
More than 100 members of staff at Dundee's Ninewells and Royal Victoria hospitals will move to an all-out strike from Tuesday following five weeks of industrial action.
The porters say they are paid less than their colleagues in other hospitals and have staged a number of four and 24-hour strikes during the last five weeks as the dispute have rumbled on.
The Unite union members have decided to move to a full strike after talks with management over the level of cover that would be provided broke down on Thursday.
George Doherty, director of Human Resources at NHS Tayside said: "I am significantly concerned at what we believe to be an unacceptable disregard for the safety and care of patients by Unite; this response runs contrary to the normal actions of a reasonable trade union.
"Despite this very uncooperative and obstructive stance by Unite, patients and their families can be absolutely reassured that patient safety, care and treatment will always be our overriding consideration.
"Our many staff helpers, as well as the vast majority of our staff who are working normally, will continue to ensure we will deliver the highest standards of care to our patients at all times."
He said the union had later offered to suspend the action during the Bank Holiday on Monday, which would allow the workers to be paid double time. Their strike action would have resumed from 6am on Tuesday, he said.
Mr Doherty said: "NHS Tayside already has staffing plans in place to cover the porters' tasks on Monday and, given the short notice of this temporary suspension of strike, we have advised Unite that those porters they have previously told us would be on strike on Monday will not be required.
"Unite also asked for a further meeting to take place on Monday and I can confirm that we have accepted this and reiterated to the union our commitment to resolving this dispute."
No-one from Unite was available from to comment.
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