26.08.14
Health workers vote on pay strike begins
Ballot papers for health service members of Unite in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been sent out asking them whether they wish to take strike action over pay.
Unite, the country’s largest union, is balloting its members over possible strike action in the autumn over the government’s decision not to implement a recommended 1% pay rise for all workers.
Members of the union started voting today, while Unison, the GMB and Royal College of Nursing will send ballot papers out in the coming days. The ballot closes on 26 September.
In contrast to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the devolved Scottish government has agreed to pay the 1% pay rise to all staff as recommended by the independent Pay Review Body (PRB) and to implement the ‘living wage’ by paying an extra £300 to low paid workers.
Rachael Maskell, Unite head of health, said: “Our members have an opportunity from today to vote in favour of industrial action and send a stark message that the health secretary should sit down with the unions and listen to our proposals for fair pay for the biggest workforce in the UK.
“We are confident of a positive result from our members. But we also wish to reassure the public that any industrial action will be carefully calibrated to balance the anger that our members feel about their shrinking pay packets, with abiding concern for patient care which is key for the health professionals we represent.”
The result is due at the end of September, with industrial action threatened in October.
In response to the balloting, the NHS Employers organisation has told the unions that early information will be needed to ensure healthcare is planned as safely as possible during any industrial action.
Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, said: “Unions have now started the ballot. Employers are of course concerned about the impact that any industrial action will have on patient care, especially during winter when NHS services are under greatest pressure.
“We completely understand the frustration and anger of many staff following a prolonged period of pay restraint but patient safety must always be our first priority. We have let the Unions know that, if they are serious about their abiding concern for patient care, they will give employers far more than the statutory minimum of seven days’ notice of any action so we can introduce appropriate contingency plans.”
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