Patients and hospitals will benefit from a more reliable blood service following a vote by drivers employed in delivering blood to accept a new terms and conditions package, said UNISON today. The new deal will deliver 24/7 working and in some cases increase pay packages by up to £5,000 per year.
Lead Negotiator, Mike Jackson of UNISON said:
ÒThis deal will create a high quality modernised blood delivery service that hospitals can rely on. It is a dedicated service that will cut out the need to use private couriers or taxis to deliver urgent supplies and will bring real benefits to hospitals and patients all year round.
ÒThe deal will see a 50% increase in the number of drivers employed by the National Blood Service (NBS) and offers real improvements to the pay and conditions of our members. The average salary for a driver is currently around £13,000 so this deal represents a significant increase with future incremental pay progression in years to come.Ó
The package took two years to develop and negotiate, and will introduce 24 hour, 7 day working at most National Blood Service Centres in England and North Wales. The deal will be paid for by massively reducing the reliance by the NBS on private courier and taxi services to deliver blood.
Over 120 new driving jobs will be created and at centres where there is no demand for rostered night working, on call arrangements have been agreed to provide a 24 service for urgent blood supplies.
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