NHS Strike Looms As Workers Ballot Over Pay Award

The possibility of a national strike across the NHS will move one step closer today when Unison health workers ballot for industrial action at their annual health conference in Brighton.

The union, representing more than 450,000 health workers, has condemned the 2.5% pay award to NHS staff. It is particularly angry at the government’s decision to stage the award in England and Wales – reducing its value to 1.9%.

In Scotland, the Scottish Executive decided not to stage the award, much to the irritation of Gordon Brown who is intent on keeping the books balanced in the Treasury.

A series of emergency motions will call for co-ordinated action with other health unions and an alliance with public sector unions challenging the Treasury’s pay limits.

Karen Jennings, Unison head of health, said: “I have no doubt that there is a mood for a fight and a ballot for strike action will go ahead if there is not an improved offer. With RPI running at 4.8%, health workers are being asked to accept a pay cut.

“The government should be ashamed at the way they are treating NHS staff. If the Scottish Executive can agree to pay the 2.5% in full, what is stopping Whitehall from doing the same? If there is industrial action in the NHS, the responsibility will be firmly with the government. Time after time NHS staff deliver government targets, but after such a bad year, when it comes to delivering for them, they are being let down badly.”

The NHS Pay Negotiating Council, which represents workers not covered by the review body such as porters, cleaners, cooks and clerical staff, meets on April 27 and a ballot is likely to follow.