British health service workers have launched the first of two 24-hour strikes in protest at theBritish government’s planned outsourcing of National Health Service logistics to DHL. It is the
biggest stoppage in the British health sector for nearly 20 years.Several hundred staff picketed five NHS Logistics distribution centres across the UK onFriday to try to stop trucks with NHS supplies from departing in order to supply hospitals andother sites.
The health workers union Unison said that the strike would mean short supplies of food andhospital equipment. But the UK government stressed that hospitals had local supply sources toensure deliveries of necessary items, and a serious impact was not expected.
A second 24-hour stoppage is due on Wednesday, September 27, to coincide with the annualconference of the ruling Labour Party. A majority of the 1,650 NHS Logistics and other staff due tobe transferred to DHL on October 1 voted earlier this month for strike action.
Under the GBP 1.6 billion, 10-year outsourcing contract, DHL will take over the activities ofNHS Logistics and some other supply activities, and will seek savings of over GBP 1 billion in theGBP 22 billion NHS logistics budget. NHS Logistics supplies about 51,000 different articlesincluding hospital equipment, food and drinks to 600 hospitals across Britain.
