“The Trust has so far ignored the deeply-felt objections to their damaging and divisive plans. They need to come back to the negotiating table urgently to avoid further strike action.”
UNISON has given the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Trust notice of a seven-day strike beginning on Tuesday 17 July at 6am.
This will be the fourth period of industrial action taken by UNISON members who work in roles including portering, cleaning and catering. The strike action has been provoked by the Trust’s plan to outsource nearly 900 staff to a private limited company.
Unions have previously held 48 hour strikes on May 23-24 and June 8-10, and a five-day strike from June 28 – July 3, but this time the strike will last for a full week.
Staff are striking to protect their terms and conditions and the living standards of future generations of hospital staff, and to keep the NHS team together.
The campaign has received backing from the public and from senior national and local politicians including Jeremy Corbyn, Lisa Nandy, Jo Platt, Yvonne Fovargue, and Keith Cunliffe.
More than 50 striking workers from the Trust took part in the national demonstration for the NHS on Saturday 30 June where they received tremendous support from UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth.
Tina Fox (44) has worked as a domestic at Wigan Infirmary for over three years. Tina was on the march in London. She said:
“We are Wiganers loud and proud and we made our presence known on the march. The support we received was phenomenal and it was great to be part of such a big event.
“We have a real sense of strength. We want to work for the NHS, not for WWL Solutions. We’ve got each other’s backs and we’re going to stick together and fight this all the way."
Lizanne Devonport, UNISON North West Regional Organiser said:
“Staff are resolute in their determination to keep the NHS together. The last few days have seen very strong strike action across the Trust’s hospital sites. Staff are receiving tremendous support locally and from people who care about the future of the NHS right across the country.
“The Trust has so far ignored the deeply-felt objections to their damaging and divisive plans. They need to come back to the negotiating table urgently to avoid further strike action.”