Thousands of Welsh nurses, healthcare assistants, ambulance workers, hospital porters, cleaners, cooks, admin staff and many more, have told their trade union, Welsh government’s NHS pay award does not go far enough.
87 per cent of healthcare workers taking part in a UNISON Cymru Wales pay consultation have voted to oppose the imposition of a 3 per cent pay award by Welsh government, the union announced today (Wednesday).
UNISON Cymru Wales’ health committee has voted to support ongoing talks with Welsh government to try to reach agreement on improving on the 3 per cent.
Should these urgent talks fail to boost the award, the committee has agreed to recommend an industrial action ballot be triggered.
Paul Summers, UNISON chair of Wales health trade unions, said,
“After the toughest eighteen months of their lives, NHS staff deserve better than Welsh government imposing a below-inflation pay award. UNISON will be meeting with the health minister to seek improvements on the current 3 per cent.
“Healthcare workers can be assured UNISON will continue to fight for the best possible deal, that rewards their hard work.”
Notes to editors:
- The UNISON Cymru Wales consultative exercise ran from 11 August to 17 September. UNISON health members in Wales were asked for their views on the 3% pay increase – 87.4% opposed the award imposition; 12.6% found it acceptable
- UNISON’s evidence to the NHS pay review body had called for a wage increase of at least £2,000 for each individual health worker.
Contact:
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Cymru Wales press officer on 07816 53 83 97