06 October 2000
Up to 600 workers at the Dudley Group of Hospitals are taking part in the ten-day action that will last until October 11. The dispute centres on plans to outsource around 800 non-clinical staff to a private health company, Summit Healthcare.
Unison, which is representing the workers, claims that pay, conditions and service standards will deteriorate if they are transferred to the private sector.
Negotiations reached stalemate several months ago. A spokesman for the trust said the PFI would have to be cancelled if services were taken out and this could leave them open to potential litigation from Summit Healthcare.
PFoct2000
