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Unions name date for NHS strike Unions name date for NHS strike
(10 minutes later)
The first national strike in the health service for 18 years is to go ahead next Thursday.The first national strike in the health service for 18 years is to go ahead next Thursday.
The health service union Unison announced hundreds of workers in the agency NHS Logistics will walk out for 24 hours.The health service union Unison announced hundreds of workers in the agency NHS Logistics will walk out for 24 hours.
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.
A second 24-hour strike is also planned, the date of which will be announced early next week.A second 24-hour strike is also planned, the date of which will be announced early next week.
Further industrial action will follow.Further industrial action will follow.
Around 900 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 Unison There can be absolutely no justification for privatising thisservice Karen JenningsUnison
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.
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 strike decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday afternoon in Alfreton, Derbyshire - the site of one of the agency's five depots.The strike decision was taken at a meeting 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". Karen Jennings, Unison's Head of Health, said: "Our members have a very strong sense of loyalty to the NHS and have worked hard to make NHS Logistics a highly-competitive, innovative service.
"Last year it delivered savings to NHS trusts of £2.8 million that can beploughed back into front-line services.
"NHS Logistics has a fantastic track record on innovation and awards forefficiency. There can be absolutely no justification for privatising thisservice."
She said Unison also had proceedings issued for a judicial review this month.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.""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".