Lorry drivers delivering NHS supplies across England to strike over pay
Nearly 200 Unite members employed by GXO will walk out on five dates from 13 October after rejecting a 4 per cent offer, in a dispute the union says is also about inferior pensions.
Lorry drivers delivering NHS supplies to hospitals across England are to strike in a dispute over pay, Unite has announced, with walkouts planned on five dates across October and November.
Nearly 200 of the union's members employed by GXO will strike on 13 to 15 October, 20 to 22 October, 27 to 29 October, 3 to 5 November and 10 to 12 November. The drivers are based at depots in Alfreton in Derbyshire, Bridgwater in Somerset, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent, Rugby in Warwickshire, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Washington in Newcastle, and cover all hospitals in England.
They drive HGVs and other vehicles delivering general equipment including bandages, dressings, gowns, gloves and needles. Members rejected a 4 per cent pay offer from GXO, which runs the NHS supply chain contract for Supply Chain Coordination Limited, a company wholly owned by NHS England.
Our members will not be threatened into backing down. They have Unite's 100 per cent support in striking for a fair pay rise.Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary
Unite says GXO workers on the NHS supply contract have inferior terms and conditions compared with standard NHS contracts, including a much lower pension entitlement, and that GXO has said Supply Chain Coordination Limited will not let the consolidated pay offer be increased.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Rather than negotiating in good faith, GXO has threatened it will remove the original offer it made. Let me be clear, our members will not be threatened into backing down. They have Unite's 100 per cent support in striking for a fair pay rise.'
An NHS Supply Chain spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the outcome of the Unite ballot involving their members who work as drivers for our logistics provider, GXO, on the NHS Supply Chain contract, and the announcement of industrial action. Together with GXO, our priority is to ensure the continued supply of vital products to the NHS. GXO has robust contingency plans in place to help minimise any potential disruption whilst discussions continue.'
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