WORKERS at the borough's hospital trust are set to go on strike tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Around 600 members of trade union Unison who are employed in roles such as catering, cleaning and portering at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Foundation Trust (WWL) will be taking industrial action.

The strike has been organised over fears staff members' jobs, pay and conditions would be at risk if they outsourced to the private NHS company WWL Solutions Limited.

Members of trade union Unite are due to join Unison in the strike action.

Unison North West regional organiser Sean Gibson said: “The staff are determined to stop the WWL Solutions plan and they have done themselves proud in standing together against it.

"The trust management has underestimated their resolve throughout.

“Our members are asking why, if the trust needs to save money, they do not look at what they are paying the people at the top.

"Why are they starting with the lowest-paid workers in the hospitals?”

“The WWL Solutions proposal is an attack on the living standards and job security of people who live in the communities that this trust is supposed to serve. And it is an attack on the prospects of future hospital staff.

“As we approach the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, the trust needs to grant the wish of this group of core hospital staff to remain in the direct employment of the NHS.

"They should stop trying to divide the workforce up and instead keep the NHS team together. They should abandon their WWL Solutions plan.”

The picket lines are planned for 6am to 7pm on both days. There will also be lines at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and Wrightington Hospital from 6am to 10pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Some members will join the strike at midnight tonight, Tuesday.

A rally has been planned for Wednesday at noon outside the Life Centre South in Wigan with Lisa Nandy MP due to attend to give her support.

WWL has confirmed a "significant number" of staff will not be working during the strike action.

A spokesman for WWL said: "With a large number of trust volunteers enabling us to provide critical patient services, we ask that patients and visitors to all of our sites bear with us during this time period.

"We would like to reassure our patients, staff and the public that business continuity plans are being carried out to ensure that our services will continue to run as smoothly and safely as possible during the 48 hours of industrial action.

"However, some disruption to services is likely.

"Shops and dining rooms will be closed on all sites, but there will be general catering provisions and snack trollies will be made available for staff, patients and visitors.

"Should treatment be required, we would encourage, where possible, patients to think about using alternative services such as GPs, walk-in centres and pharmacies unless life threatening or in an emergency.

"At this time, no appointments or operations have been cancelled and all staff working during the industrial action are being fully supported."

There will be cold drinks and snacks available in the outpatient area of Leigh Infirmary and Wrightington Hospital at 11am and 3pm on both days.

They will also be on hand at the Thomas Linacre Centre and at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary they will be distributed and snacks will be available throughout wards and departments at 11am, 3pm and 6.30pm.