On 24 November, UNISON members in England will join 10 other health unions working in the NHS to take a four hour strike from 7am to 11am.
This will be followed by action short of strike action from midnight on Monday 24 November to midnight on Sunday 30 November.
That action will be in the form of “take your breaks and don’t work for free” which will include members working to their contracted hours by not doing unpaid overtime and by taking their breaks which they are entitled.
Between now and then, health branches in England can take a range of actions to prepare for the action.
1 Keep up the political pressure
Many branches have been contacting their MPs and encouraging members to send the template letter (available on the UNISON website) and sign petitions calling for fair pay in the NHS.
You could invite your local MP to visit a workplace during the week of action to meet with NHS workers and to discuss pay.
2 Build on the campaign
UNISON has developed a wealth of materials for branches and activists to help make the arguments to members about why they should take part in the strike and the action short of strike action.
There are infographics to use on social media and in communications to members, short films of NHS workers saying why they are taking action FAQs and advice share with members.
These can all be found on the campaign resources page of the website.
3 Order your strike material
Our online catalogue has lots of materials for your picket lines including placards, posters, leaflets and some paid for items like flags and banners. Order early to ensure the items are with you in time.
There is also publiciy material for members and public which you can use to build for the action and on the picket line
- 7 days for fair pay leaflet – November action, stock number 3463
- Open letter to the public, stock number 3470
- Industrial action workplace poster, stock number 3462
- Fair Pay for NHS staff placard, stock number 3406
- Fair Pay sticker, stock number 3407
4 Start to discuss exemptions with your employer
Emergency cover arrangements will need to be negotiated locally. Branches should engage in discussions with their employers – but final sign-off will rest with the region.
Branches should discuss the regional protocol for this with their regional organiser. This could be the regional head of health or regional secretary.
5 Don’t forget to use social media
If you are organising events or getting messages out to members, please use social media and keep the pressure up using the #NHSpay hashtag
and encourage members to follow @unisonourNHS on Twitter and ournhsourfuture on Facebook.
