Wigan hospital workers vote for strike ballot

UNISON members working at three hospitals in Lancashire are on course for industrial action over plans to outsource their jobs to a new company, set-up and owned by the NHS trust, in May. Members at the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS foundation trust voted to reject the plans and ask the union for a strike ballot by 93% in a 79% turn-out. Nearly 900 NHS staff who work in estates and facilities across the trust’s three hospitals are threatened by the plan to outsource them to the wholly owned subsidiary company, WWL Solutions. They are worried that their terms and conditions could be cut, that new starters will get inferior pay and pensions, and that they could all ultimately be moved to a private-sector company. UNISON North West regional organiser Sean Gibson said the consultative ballot had shown staff members’ “deep concern” at what he said were damaging proposals. “Good quality catering, cleaning and portering services are all crucial to the efficient operation of the hospitals and to the experience of patients. “The staff performing these roles form a key part of the NHS team and they should remain in the direct employment of the Trust – not pushed away into an outsourced separate company. “The bosses’ plans are designed to cut costs at the expense of staff and could lead to back door privatisation. We don’t want the likes of a Carillion or a Capita to be getting more involved in our NHS.” He said the union will start steps toward an full industr...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News health care North West South West Source Type: news