Cleaners, porters, housekeepers and security staff working in hospitals in Suffolk and Essex have voted in favour of strike action over plans to privatise their jobs - a move which could affect more than 4,000 workers.

In a ballot of UNISON members, 99% voted in favour of strike action in response to a review of the provision of services being carried out by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) across its sites.

ESNEFT wants to "outsource" services to include cleaners, porters and caterers at Colchester Hospital and community sites such as Aldeburgh and Felixstowe hospitals and the rehabilitation clinic at Bluebird Lodge in Ipswich. In all, it could affect 4,022 workers. 

ESNEFT CEO Nick Hulme said that talks uptil now have been helpful.ESNEFT CEO Nick Hulme said that talks now have been helpful. (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

Cleaning and security services at Ipswich Hospital, which is also run by ESNEFT, are currently provided by private company OCS  - but its contract comes to an end in April next year.

As a result, Ipswich Hospital staff, who work the private company, did not take part in the strike ballot.

It comes after more than 300 healthcare support staff at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals also voted to strike in a pay dispute over the rebanding of their salaries, claiming they are being "exploited" by NHS bosses.

Junior doctors have also been locked in a long running dispute over pay.

Nick Hulmes, chief executive of ESNEFT, said: “We are disappointed to learn that Unison has gone down this route while we are still actively involved in ongoing conversations with them and their members. We are listening to our staff about the issues that are important to them.

“A full business case has not yet been submitted to the trust board and we remain keen to engage with our staff, and our staff side colleagues including Unison, so we get the best possible service for our patients.”

UNISON said that they see privatisation as a threat against their jobs.UNISON handed over a petition to ESNEFT last week. (Image: UNISON Eastern)

The union said that worker privatisation would create a two-tier system where workers would have limited protections for their pay and conditions.

They are hoping the new Labour government keep to their vow of tackling this. 

Sam Older, UNISON Eastern regional organiser, said: “The message from staff is crystal clear: stop the sell-off.

“Workers have delivered a resounding vote for industrial action, not because they want to strike but because they want to stay in the NHS where they can properly serve patients.

“Now is the trust’s chance to rethink and commit to keeping jobs in the NHS. We urge them to take it.”