Health unions to ballot on strikes over pay

Posted 21/07/2014

Health unions to ballot on strikes over pay

The BBC reported that three key health unions are to ballot their members in England on industrial action, including strikes, over pay.

Unison, the Royal College of Midwives and Unite announced they would be taking the step over the pay offer made in March. It is the first time midwives have been balloted in their history.

Ministers have said NHS staff would get 1%, but it would not apply to those who get automatic progression-in-the-job rises. These cover about half of staff and are worth 3% a year on average, and are designed to reward professional development.

The decision by ministers went against the recommendation of the independent pay review board, which had called for an across-the-board rise.

Unison has about 300,000 health members, including nurses, therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks, cleaners and healthcare assistants, while 26,000 midwives are being balloted.

Unite is balloting nearly 90,000 members, including those in Northern Ireland and Wales.

If the union members vote yes to industrial action, it is likely to start in October.

Sophie Bales, a medical injury solicitor at Ashtons Legal comments:

“It is concerning that three key health unions are to ballot their members in England, regarding industrial action. 

If the members vote for industrial action resulting in strikes, this is likely to have a significant impact on NHS services, especially those hospitals and services which already have significant pressures on their resources.

Therefore, it is in the interests of staff and patients that resolution is quickly found to prevent any industrial action”