Fifty-four workers at Cardiff University Hospital began strike action at the weekend over management plans to privatise the hospital's Sterile Services Unit.

Since then, over 300 operations have been cancelled. The 54 prepare operating theatre equipment.

Mike Colley of Unison: "This is about protecting jobs"

Health union Unison has pledged to continue an indefinite strike at the hospital after workers rejected a 7% pay offer.

The row flared after a £2 million privatisation deal between the hospital's NHS Trust, transferring the staff to a new firm, Sterile Supplies International. Unison says the move will hit pay and conditions.

Mike Colley, of Unison, said the strike action was regrettable but necessary.

He said: "We are trying to agree a package of measures that are acceptable to both ourselves and the Trust, which will bring a speedy resolution to the problem."

The striking staff provide equipment for operations

The strike is likely to focus attention on national trends to privatise parts of the NHS.

Many ancillary areas such as catering or supplies are being "market tested" by NHS Trusts to see if the service can be more efficiently provided by the private sector.