Dorset NHS staff begin strike ballot in bid to stop outsourcing

UNISON members across Dorset are stepping up their campaign to stay in the NHS.

More than 1,700 estates and facilities workers at Dorset HealthCare, Dorset County Hospital and University Hospitals Dorset have just entered a formal strike ballot.

The vote, open now until Tuesday 24 September, is the next step in a growing campaign to stop plans that would see them outsourced to a wholly owned private company (SubCo).

Porters, cleaners, security staff, caterers, estates workers and more are all being targeted by the plans. If the trusts go ahead, staff risk being cut off from NHS terms and conditions, and future new starters could be brought in on worse contracts.

But workers are getting organised. They’ve held protests, marched into board meetings, and delivered a huge YES vote in an earlier consultative ballot. Now, they’re building towards industrial action.

UNISON South West regional manager Jayne Jackson said:
“This is the biggest threat to NHS staff in Dorset in decades, and workers aren’t staying quiet.

“They’ve shown up at every meeting, every protest, and every conversation to say loud and clear: we’re NHS and we’re staying NHS.”

UNISON South West regional secretary Kerry Baigent said:
“This campaign is worker-led, determined and growing stronger every day.

“Dorset trusts can still listen, but time is running out. Staff are ready to take action to stop this deal, defend jobs and protect the NHS from being broken apart.”