NHS Logistics employees vote to strike

The workers of NHS Logistics, the distribution organisation for the health service soon to be replaced by German company DHL, have voted to strike.

Despite government assurances that staff would be kept on with equivalent or better terms under the new arrangements, 74 per cent of members voted for industrial action in a strike action ballot.

Unison, the union responsible for NHS Logistics staff, said there was no need to replace the “award-winning” arm of the health service with a parcel delivery company.

Dave Prentice, Unison’s general secretary, remarked: “These are not trouble-makers, not hard-liners but workers who care deeply about the NHS.”

“Hardworking public service workers who have never taken strike action before, making a stand to protect their service and protect our NHS,” he added.

The government says the new arrangement will create savings of one billion pounds over the next ten years, while DHL claimed that it would work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure they were getting the best deals for equipment.

Although Unison asserts that it has drawn up plans to “cover life and limb” during the strike, it warned that hospital supplies would be affected.

Members intend to set a date for action this Friday.