NHS supply lorry drivers to strike in pay dispute
Drivers who deliver medical equipment to hospitals across England reject a 4% pay increase.
NHS supply lorry drivers to strike in pay dispute
Lorry drivers are due to carry out a series of walkouts in October and November.
NHS supply lorry drivers are set to take part in a series of strikes over a pay dispute.
Drivers employed by GXO in Tyne and Wear, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Warwickshire and Suffolk will hold five walkouts from October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and November 3-5 and 10-12, Unite said.
Union members have turned down a 4% pay offer from GXO, which operates the NHS supply chain contract for Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL), and is wholly owned by NHS England.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: "There is still time for strike action to be avoided but that will require a deal our members can accept." NHS Supply Chain and GXO said they had "robust contingency plans" in place to minimise disruption.
Drivers deliver general equipment such as bandages, dressings, gowns, gloves and needles to hospitals across England.
Silkstone called them "dedicated workers" and said GXO had refused to put forward a reasonable offer.
NHS Supply Chain and GXO said they were aware Unite members had voted in favour of industrial action. GXO said it believed the 4% pay offer was fair.
A spokesperson for GXO said: "Patient care remains of paramount importance, and we remain focused on providing a safe and effective operation throughout this period."
Depots where strike action is due to take place are in Alfreton in Derbyshire, Bridgwater in Somerset, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent, Rugby in Warwickshire, Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk and Washington in Tyne and Wear.