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22/07/2014
NHS Staff To Ballot For Strike Action Over Pay
A health union is to hold a ballot of its 300,000 members in England for strike action over the government's decision to oppose 60% of NHS staff, and 70% nurses a pay rise over the next two years.
Unison will begin the ballot on 28 August and it will run until 18 September.
The ballot will cover health workers including nurses, therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks, cleaners and healthcare assistants.
A 'yes' vote will lead to stoppages in early October, followed by further strikes and action short of a strike over the autumn and winter.
Christina McAnea, Unison Head of Health, said: "Balloting for strike action is not an easy decision – especially in the NHS. But this Government is showing complete contempt for NHS workers. It has swept aside the Pay Review Body's recommendations and ignored the union's call for a fair deal. Our members are angry at the way they are being treated and we are left with little choice but to ballot for action.
"We hope to work closely with the other health unions to plan and coordinate action. It is not too late however for Jeremy Hunt to agree to further talks, without pre-conditions, to settle the dispute."
(CD/JP)
Unison will begin the ballot on 28 August and it will run until 18 September.
The ballot will cover health workers including nurses, therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks, cleaners and healthcare assistants.
A 'yes' vote will lead to stoppages in early October, followed by further strikes and action short of a strike over the autumn and winter.
Christina McAnea, Unison Head of Health, said: "Balloting for strike action is not an easy decision – especially in the NHS. But this Government is showing complete contempt for NHS workers. It has swept aside the Pay Review Body's recommendations and ignored the union's call for a fair deal. Our members are angry at the way they are being treated and we are left with little choice but to ballot for action.
"We hope to work closely with the other health unions to plan and coordinate action. It is not too late however for Jeremy Hunt to agree to further talks, without pre-conditions, to settle the dispute."
(CD/JP)
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