Lorry drivers employed by GXO to deliver NHS medical supplies across England will strike on five separate weekends from October through November in a pay dispute, the Unite union said.
Drivers at depots in Tyne and Wear, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Warwickshire and Suffolk will walk out October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and November 3-5 and 10-12. Union members voted to reject a 4% pay offer from GXO, which operates the NHS supply chain contract for Supply Chain Coordination Limited and is wholly owned by NHS England.
The striking drivers deliver equipment including bandages, dressings, gowns, gloves and needles to hospitals across England. Specific depots affected are in Alfreton in Derbyshire, Bridgwater in Somerset, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent, Rugby in Warwickshire, Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk and Washington in Tyne and Wear.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: "There is still time for strike action to be avoided but that will require a deal our members can accept." Silkstone described the drivers as "dedicated workers" and said GXO had refused to put forward a reasonable offer.
GXO and NHS Supply Chain stated they had "robust contingency plans" in place to minimize disruption. A GXO spokesperson said: "Patient care remains of paramount importance, and we remain focused on providing a safe and effective operation throughout this period." The company said it believed the 4% pay offer was fair.