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NHS staff out in national strike NHS staff out in national strike
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of NHS staff have gone on strike, in the first national walkout in the health service for 18 years. Hundreds of NHS workers have gone on strike, in the first national walkout in the health service for 18 years.
Members of the public sector union, Unison, who work for the delivery arm of the health service in England, are angry their jobs are being privatised. Staff who work for the delivery arm of the health service in England are angry their jobs are being privatised.
The supply agency NHS Logistics is due to be handed over to German transport company DHL from the start of October.The supply agency NHS Logistics is due to be handed over to German transport company DHL from the start of October.
Staff hope their 24-hour strike, which ends at 2200 BST, will prompt a U-turn over the sell off from the government. There are fears the 24-hour walkout may leave hospitals and GPs short of equipment, but ministers say the effect will be minimal.
There are fears the walkout may leave hospitals and doctors' surgeries short of equipment, but ministers say the effect will be minimal. The rest of the staff in the NHS will be watching what's happening to NHS Logistics Karen Jennings, of Unison
Early reports from the distribution centres suggested the strike was being "solidly" supported, according to Unison. Early reports from the distribution centres in Derbyshire, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, Kent and Suffolk suggested the strike was being "solidly" supported, according to the workers' union Unison.
Unison also said other health workers, including nurses, and fire-fighters had visited some of the picket lines to show solidarity with the strikers.
The head of health at Unison, Karen Jennings, said: "What we're very clearly trying to say to the government is let's go back to partnership, let's go back to talking, let's get a consensus around what the NHS should be like.
"The rest of the staff in the NHS will be watching what's happening to NHS Logistics."
A second strike is due on 26 September with more action to follow.A second strike is due on 26 September with more action to follow.
This is a privatisation too far. There is always hope that the situation will change Unison spokeswoman But their walkout looks to be in vain after Unison scrapped plans for a judicial review to reverse the deal after being told it had little chance of succeeding.
About 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike.
NHS Logistics supplies about 50,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food.NHS Logistics supplies about 50,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food.
Hospitals have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles.Hospitals have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles.
The workers, who supply hospitals and GP surgeries in England, are based at distribution centres at Alfreton in Derbyshire, Runcorn in Cheshire, Normanton in West Yorkshire and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Deal
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis will visit the picket line in Maidstone, Kent on Friday morning.
Emergency plans
Unison said there was no justification for privatising the agency and has issued proceedings for a judicial review of the sell-off this month.
Ahead of the start of the strike, a spokeswoman said: "This is a privatisation too far. There is always hope that the situation will change and the workers are going on strike to demonstrate their anger and disappointment at the move."
The union has agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment during the strike.The union has agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment during the strike.
The head of health at Unison, Karen Jennings, said: "What we're very clearly trying to say to the government is let's go back to partnership, let's go back to talking, let's get a consensus around what the NHS should be like.
"The rest of the staff in the NHS will be watching what's happening to NHS Logistics."
The government has said the deal will help save £1bn over 10 years.The government has said the deal will help save £1bn over 10 years.
Strikes monitored
Health Minister Andy Burnham said he expected the strikes would cause the minimum disruption to hospitals and said patients should not be unduly worried.Health Minister Andy Burnham said he expected the strikes would cause the minimum disruption to hospitals and said patients should not be unduly worried.
He added: "We will keep an extremely close eye on the situation.He added: "We will keep an extremely close eye on the situation.
"I'm a passionate believer in the values of the National Health Service. I would never countenance a position under which those values may change."I'm a passionate believer in the values of the National Health Service. I would never countenance a position under which those values may change.
"Under the terms of this deal the pay rates of NHS Logistics staff today will be guaranteed NHS pay rates for the lifetime of this deal."Under the terms of this deal the pay rates of NHS Logistics staff today will be guaranteed NHS pay rates for the lifetime of this deal.
"The equivalent NHS pensions will be guaranteed and the two-tier workforce agreement will be in force.""The equivalent NHS pensions will be guaranteed and the two-tier workforce agreement will be in force."
The most recent major health service strike was when midwives were involved in a pay dispute in 1988.The most recent major health service strike was when midwives were involved in a pay dispute in 1988.