UNISON yesterday backed ‘extremely angry’ members at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, who have voted in a consultative ballot for strike action in defence of jobs.
When asked by News Line ‘will UNISON support a strike,’ a spokeswoman said: ‘Of course we will’.
She added that General Secretary Dave Prentis stands by his statement at the UNISON National Delegate Conference in June, that any branch which takes industrial action against NHS cuts will have the national union’s full support.
UNISON regional officer Peter Lowe told News Line yesterday: ‘There has been a consultative ballot of 2,700 UNISON members at the hospital.
Ninety-nine per cent voted for some sort of action.
‘Sixty-five per cent voted for strike action, and 34 per cent voted for industrial action short of strike action.
‘Members are extremely angry with management proposals for cuts at New Cross Hospital which could lead to over 300 job cuts, both voluntary and compulsory.
‘In addition, changes to terms and conditions, imposition of car parking charges – all this has made UNISON members very angry.
‘UNISON represents 65 per cent of staff at New Cross, including nurses, ancillary staff, occupational therapists and radiographers.
‘We have registered a dispute and just begun talks with management to discuss their proposals under the 90-day consultation.
‘If they are not prepared to change their position, then we will proceed with a full legal ballot for industrial action.’
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust plans to save £8m at New Cross Hospital in the face of an overall trust deficit of £37m.
Managers had previously said some jobs could be saved if staff agree to a wage freeze.
A British Medical Association (BMA) spokesman told News Line yesterday: ‘We can confirm that the BMA is in discussions with West Midlands NHS Trust.
‘We are working with all the unions to take things forward and avoid cuts at the hospital.’