NHS workers vote to strike over jobs transfer plan

Dorset union members have held protests over the jobs plan

A group of NHS workers have voted to strike over a plan to move their jobs to an independent firm.

The health union Unison said 1,700 cleaners, porters and other support staff in Dorset hospitals were under threat of being transferred to an NHS-owned subco (a subsidiary company).

The union said nearly 94% of members backed a possible strike, on a turnout of more than 74%.

The NHS health trusts involved - Dorset HealthCare University, Dorset County Hospital, and University Hospitals Dorset - have been approached for comment.

Several NHS trusts have made plans for subcos affecting thousands of workers, the union said.

It warned there could be further walkouts by NHS staff in other parts of the country unless hospital trusts were stopped from "back door privatisation".

The union is bringing a motion on subcos for debate at the Labour Conference, which begins in Liverpool on Sunday.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "Before the election, Labour promised to bring workers on private contracts back into public services.

"They need to make good on that promise and quickly, or they risk seeing widespread disruption in the NHS in coming months.

"The overwhelming vote by Dorset support staff demonstrates just how strongly health workers feel about any erosion of their pay and conditions."

Previously, the Dorset NHS trusts said their "highly valued" staff would retain their NHS conditions and pensions.