Normanton NHS lorry drivers vote on strike action in pay row
Drivers based in Normanton are among almost 200 NHS supply-chain workers being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
HGV and other vehicle drivers employed by logistics company GXO are being asked whether they want to take industrial action after rejecting a four per cent pay offer.
The workers, including those based at GXO's Normanton site, deliver general equipment and supplies to hospitals across the country as part of the NHS supply chain.
The ballot, organised by Unite, closes on September 17.
Drivers at sites in Derbyshire, Somerset, West Yorkshire, Kent, Warwickshire, Suffolk and Newcastle are taking part.
Unite said the workers had rejected GXO's four per cent offer by a near-unanimous margin.
The union says the drivers have inferior terms and conditions compared with NHS contracts, including a much lower pension.
GXO operates the NHS supply chain contract for Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL), which is wholly owned by NHS England.
According to Unite, GXO has said the pay offer cannot be increased because it is already higher than the increase offered to NHS workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GXO and SCCL’s offer was met with a near unanimous rejection by workers. It must be improved. Unite is backing these workers all the way in their fight for a deal that reflects their hard work and dedication.”
The union has warned that strike action could cause disruption to NHS supply chains.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “GXO and SCCL are forcing these workers towards industrial action. They will bear responsibility for any disruption caused to NHS supplies. Strike action can be avoided, but that will require an acceptable offer being put forward.”
A GXO Spokesperson said: “Unite has notified us that it intends to ballot certain driver colleagues working on the NHS Supply Chain contract.
"We remain committed to constructive discussions with union representatives and ACAS and have made a fair and competitive pay offer to our colleagues.
“The ballot process is ongoing and no industrial action has been confirmed. Should industrial action be confirmed, we have plans in place to mitigate any potential disruption and maintain continuity of service.”