MEMBERS of trade union Unite who work at the borough's hospital trust are set to go on strike for six days next week.

Workers at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) will take industrial action at 12.01am on Wednesday, June 27 for 24 hours.

Unite staff will then join members of fellow union Unison in going on strike for five days on Thursday, June 28 at 6am which will finish on Monday, July 3 at 6am.

One of the trust's sites affected will be Leigh Infirmary.

There have already been two 48-hour strikes on May 23 and 24, and June 8 and 9 where staff have made their feelings known about the private NHS company NHS Solutions Limited.

There are concerns that workers' jobs, pay and conditions in positions including electricians, cleaners and porters will be under threat if they are outsourced to WWL Solutions Limited. 

Unite regional officer Keith Hutson said: “These loyal and dedicated workers undertake a crucial role in keeping hospitals open and properly functioning.

"They are a core part of the NHS family and their jobs should not be hived off. 

“Since the dispute began Unite has consistently made it clear that it is prepared to meet with employers in order to resolve the dispute but in order for talks to go ahead we need a commitment that there is a willingness to enter into meaningful negotiations.”

WWL’s board of directors will meet on Wednesday, June 27- the day that the Unite 24 hour strike takes place. 

The trust said it will make a decision in the meeting on the four options of privatising through outsourcing, cutting jobs, “insourcing” through WWL Solutions Limited or not making any changes.

WWL has put contingency plans in place for the strike action but there are likely to be disruptions which patients will be advised of accordingly. 

People are advised to use other facilities such as GPs, walk-in centres and pharmacies unless it is life-threatening.