Workers
employed at four hospitals in the Midlands will be manning the picket line on
Christmas Day in protest at plans to privatise their jobs.
The
600 cleaners, porters and security staff, who work for the Dudley Group of
Hospitals NHS Trust, will be out on strike during the Christmas and New Year
period over proposals to sell off their NHS jobs as part of a private finance
deal.
"The
Dudley workers are taking a stand for their hospital and its patients and they
have the full backing and support of Unison. The staff joined the NHS, they are
committed to their jobs and committed to the NHS," said Bob Abberley, Unison’s
national health officer.
Alida
Tricker, corporate communications manager for the Dudley Group of Hospitals’
NHS Trust, said that the private finance initiative would mean the loss of 170
posts, but would raise vital revenue to allow the trust to improve facilities
for patients.
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By
Ben Willmott
