'Standing together in unity'

NHS drivers who make nationwide hospital deliveries have called off strikes after securing a ‘substantial’ pay deal, Unite said today (December 9).
 
Around 200 HGV and van drivers, who are employed by Unipart on the outsourced contract and who deliver general NHS equipment and supplies, will benefit from a two year pay deal backdated to April 2021. 
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is the latest in a series of substantial pay deals secured for our members. Unite’s overriding focus is now solely on defending and improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. As this result shows, it is an approach that is gaining real material benefits for workers across the UK.”
 
Unipart is contracted to deliver hospital supplies by government-owned Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL).
 
The deal was secured by Unite following negotiations with the conciliation service Acas, after the union’s Unipart members voted in favour of strike action. 
 
Unite national officer Matt Draper added, “The workforce at Unipart secured this substantial pay increase by standing together in unity. It is a prime example of why workers looking to improve their working lives and raise their wages should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.”

By Ryan Fletcher