COLCHESTER Hospital staff are preparing for another three days of strike action amid an ongoing row over potential changes to their contracts. 

Hundreds of cleaners, porters, caterers and other soft facilities management staff are taking industrial action after East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) bosses revealed a bid to outsource their jobs.

The latest dates come after earlier strikes in September. 

Staff will now down tools on Saturday, October 19 and again on Monday, October 21 and Tuesday October 22.

The workers are concerned that outsourcing will lead to a decline in service quality, job insecurity, and negatively impact patient care.

Sam Older, UNISON’s Eastern regional organiser, said: “There’s been an overwhelming message from staff, patients, politicians, and the wider public that services should be provided by the NHS for the benefit of people across Essex and Suffolk, not by a private company for the benefit of its shareholders.

“Trust leaders need to listen to those voices and commit to keeping services in-house. We’d welcome people from Colchester and beyond to join us as we march for our public services.

"Together we can convince ESNEFT to change direction.”

Support staff emphasised that the strike is about protecting the future of the NHS, rather than financial gains.

Jack Thorndike, a wardsman at Colchester Hospital, urged the public to join their rally:  
“This isn’t about money, this is about our futures and protecting the NHS.

"We know being sold off to a company doesn’t just hurt us, it hurts the patients we care about. We will continue until we win, but we need the public to stand with us.”

Housekeeper Natalia Janusz expressed her frustration with the lack of progress despite previous strike efforts. 

She said: “Despite 13 days of strikes, the Trust has decided we are not important enough to make a decision about whether we stay in the NHS.

"For our next strike, we invite everyone to support us and march with us to stop outsourcing. We’ve always been clear that our main priority is our patients.”

Meanwhile, ESNEFT Chief Executive Nick Hulme reiterated the trust’s commitment to patient care during the industrial action.

He said: “Keeping patients safe is always our top priority. Much planning is underway to ensure all services for patients continue during this strike.

"We respect individuals’ right to strike and continue to listen to our facilities colleagues about the issues that are important to them.”

"A final decision on the outsourcing plan is expected to be discussed by the ESNEFT board in November.

"The Trust is currently evaluating all options to ensure the future of soft facilities management services delivers the best results for both patients and staff.

"Until then, support staff vow to continue their fight, with the hope that their voices will be heard before it’s too late."