Vote for strike at Northern General

Unison officials say the changes would result in 'massive' pay cuts of up to 3,000 a year for some staff.

The vote resulted in 90 per cent backing for industrial action. The strike is likely to be staged on Monday August 20, according to a representative from the union Unison.

Workers affected are those based in the sterile services bulk stores department.

The payments under threat have been made to staff for over 20 years, and Unison says workers in the department are among the lowest paid in the NHS.

Attempts to resolve the dispute locally have so far failed.

The dispute started with the proposed privatisation of the sterile supplies production unit, which saw staff transferred to the hospital's hotel portering department.

Staff were told their bonuses would be stopped as a result.

Unison regional officer Rob Demaine said staff saw strike action as the only option left.

"The decision to ballot has not been taken lightly but our members are extremely angry at the way they have been treated, after years of loyal service to the NHS and the Trust.

"This strike action will be the first for over 40 years at the Northern General," he added.