Welsh NHS industrial action ballot opens

UNISON Cymru/Wales, Wales’ largest health union, begins a ballot today of over 30,000 NHS members in Wales for strike action. The ballot is in response to the ongoing pay restraint experienced by NHS staff and the announcement to pay all staff a one-off, unconsolidated amount of £160 for this year.

The ballot begins today, 30 September, and will run until 20 October.

The ballot will cover health workers including nurses, therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks, cleaners and healthcare assistants. Unless a settlement is reached soon, a yes vote will lead to strike action and action short of strike action during the autumn and winter.
 
The ballot follows the Welsh health minister’s announcement that he would not be implementing the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendations but would instead make a one-off non-consolidated payment of £160 to all staff.

Because the award is non-consolidated it will not count towards pension entitlements or shift pay and will not occur in future years. 
 
UNISON Cymru/Wales head of health Dawn Bowden said: “Balloting for strike action is not an easy decision – especially in the NHS – but our members are worth a lot more than the current £160 offer.

“Health workers have lost between 8 and 10% of their pay since 2010 and currently undertake a total of £15,136,891 worth of unpaid overtime a week. Our members cannot afford to continue to plug the financial gap in the Welsh NHS.

“Our members are angry at the way they are being treated and we are left with little choice but to ballot for action.”

 

UNISON Cymru / Wales

UNISON in healthcare

Campaigning for NHS pay  

Worth it – pay campaigning