Unison outlines NHS Logistics strike
Friday, 15 Sep 2006 17:45
DHL's chief operating officer for its supply chain, John Pattullo
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Health sector union Unison has confirmed that around 900 union members are to go on strike next week in protest at the "destructive" transfer of NHS Logistics to German firm DHL.
Workers will stage a 24-hour walk-out on Thursday September 21st from 10pm and a second 24-hour strike is to be announced early next week.
Unison's objections to the sale of NHS Logistics are fundamental to one of the key objections to government policy voiced by unions at this week's Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton.
TUC members believe that the government is privatising parts of the NHS by selling sections off to external firms. NHS Logistics was sold for £3.7 billion, according to the Unison website.
"It's very important that the staff, who have built NHS Logistics up to what is an award-winning service and by everybody's standards is seen to be one of the best delivery services that we have, and very, very applauded and supported by all staff, gets the opportunity to express its great sadness and its anger about what is happening," Karen Jennings, Unison's head of health, told the Today programme.
She added that proceedings had been issued for a judicial review later this month, but agreed that "we're up against time" because DHL are due to take over in October.
Ms Jennings added that the unions intended to ensure the strike plans were "responsible" and that they would discuss emergency cover with employers.