Unison is balloting workers at NHS Logistics and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency over strike action against New Labour’s plans to privatise these vital services.

Parcel delivery company DHL – a subsidiary of Germany’s privatised post office - yesterday signed a £1.6bn contract to take over the work.

As the union points out, NHS Logistics is a not-for-profit operation that last year returned £3m in rebates to the National Health Service. It’s hardly likely that Deutsche Post shareholders will be so generous.

I’m hoping for a yes vote. Meanwhile, get the background to this dispute here.