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Unions ponder NHS supply strike Unions discuss NHS supply strike
(about 7 hours later)
Union leaders are meeting to plan what could be the first national strike in the health service for 18 years.Union leaders are meeting to plan what could be the first national strike in the health service for 18 years.
Unison is expected to announce when workers at supply agency NHS Logistics will take action, with a one- or two-day strike thought most likely.Unison is expected to announce when workers at supply agency NHS Logistics will take action, with a one- or two-day strike thought most likely.
The protest, over the sell-off of the network to German firm DHL, could lead to English hospitals running short of vital equipment.The protest, over the sell-off of the network to German firm DHL, could lead to English hospitals running short of vital equipment.
But the government said it believed any impact would be limited.But the government said it believed any impact would be limited.
Some 800 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike. Around 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike.
There is no justification for this at all, it will lead to a poorer service UnisonThere is no justification for this at all, it will lead to a poorer service Unison
Hospitals will get seven days' notice of the strike but they have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles.Hospitals will get seven days' notice of the strike but they have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles.
NHS Logistics supplies 48,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food.NHS Logistics supplies 48,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food.
The new contract kicks in on October 1, so the industrial action is likely to take place in the last week of September.The new contract kicks in on October 1, so the industrial action is likely to take place in the last week of September.
The meeting is being held on Friday afternoon in Alfreton, Derbyshire - the site of one of the agency's five depots.The meeting is being held on Friday afternoon in Alfreton, Derbyshire - the site of one of the agency's five depots.
The union's head of health, Karen Jennings, said the strike could be followed be a "rolling programme of industrial action".
She said Unison also had proceedings issued for a judicial review this month.
"We're taking every avenue, every process possible to try and stop what we think is a very destructive move by this government."
The government believes the DHL deal will help save £1bn over 10 years.The government believes the DHL deal will help save £1bn over 10 years.
But a Unison spokeswoman said it was opposing the move as it was another sign of "creeping NHS privatisation".But a Unison spokeswoman said it was opposing the move as it was another sign of "creeping NHS privatisation".
"There is no justification for this at all - it will lead to a poorer service. The government's decision to privatise it is driven by pure dogma," she said."There is no justification for this at all - it will lead to a poorer service. The government's decision to privatise it is driven by pure dogma," she said.
The union said it expected any action to hit the supply of goods to hospitals, but added it had agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment.The union said it expected any action to hit the supply of goods to hospitals, but added it had agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment.
The Department of Health said most hospitals also had their own supply and delivery arrangements and would be able to "cope with demand".The Department of Health said most hospitals also had their own supply and delivery arrangements and would be able to "cope with demand".