LONDON, June 18 /PRNewswire/ --

- Photo Opportunity: Thursday 19th June, 8.30am Demonstration Outside Airedale General Hospital, Skipton Road, Steeton, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 6TD

Unite, the Uk's largest trade union, will hold a demonstration tomorrow (Thursday 19th June) outside Airedale General Hospital in protest at the possible sell-off of the hospital canteen.

They will be joined by members of the GMB and Unison who's members are also affected by the proposals.

Airedale NHS Trust employed a consultant who estimated that the modernisation of the kitchens would cost GBP1.6 million. The trust says that it cannot afford this and has asked for bids from a series of contractors. Unite is disappointed that an in-house bid was not pursued.

The demonstration coincides with the presentation to the Trust board of the figures from the contract bids and will make a decision on 24th July.

The 92 staff employed at the canteen are extremely worried that if the canteen service is privatised it will affect their jobs and pensions.

Christian Ratcliffe, Unite Regional Officer, says: "Our members continue to provide an excellent award winning service to visitors despite the uncertainty about their future.

"Unite is urging the trust board to recognise the expertise and skill of it's staff and keep the service in-house."

Unite believe they have the support of the local community. So far over 650 signatures opposing the proposed privatisation have been collected.

For further information contact , Martin Scanlon on +44(0)20-7420-8934 or +44(0)7764-655751 or Christian Ratcliffe on +44(0)7702-119134