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NHS staff to strike after 1% pay rise 'ignored' | NHS staff to strike after 1% pay rise 'ignored' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
NHS staff in Wales will strike for half a day in November and then work to rule for the following four days. | NHS staff in Wales will strike for half a day in November and then work to rule for the following four days. |
Unison confirmed 27,000 members will stage the half-day stoppage from 8:30 to 12:00 GMT on Monday 10 November. | |
For the rest of the week, staff will take action short of a strike by ensuring they take breaks and work their contracted hours. | For the rest of the week, staff will take action short of a strike by ensuring they take breaks and work their contracted hours. |
The union said the action is in response to a recommended pay increase of 1% for staff being ignored. | The union said the action is in response to a recommended pay increase of 1% for staff being ignored. |
Staff were instead offered a non-consolidated payment of £160. | Staff were instead offered a non-consolidated payment of £160. |
Unison argued this would not count towards pension entitlements or shift pay, and will not occur in future years. | Unison argued this would not count towards pension entitlements or shift pay, and will not occur in future years. |
Staff taking part in the strike action include nurses, occupational therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks and healthcare assistants. | |
'Goodwill running low' | 'Goodwill running low' |
Unison's Dawn Bowden said: "NHS members don't take action often or lightly. | Unison's Dawn Bowden said: "NHS members don't take action often or lightly. |
"The NHS runs on the goodwill of its workers but that goodwill is beginning to run low." | "The NHS runs on the goodwill of its workers but that goodwill is beginning to run low." |
She added: "We understand the complexities within the Welsh budget, but the workforce cannot be expected to continue to plug the financial gap in the Welsh NHS." | She added: "We understand the complexities within the Welsh budget, but the workforce cannot be expected to continue to plug the financial gap in the Welsh NHS." |
Unison's spokesperson in Cardiff, Amber Courtney, added it "will not be business as usual" for hospitals and warned action would have a "detrimental effect" on services. | |
The ballot, which ended on 20 October, saw 77% of members voting in favour of industrial action and 90% for action short of a strike. | The ballot, which ended on 20 October, saw 77% of members voting in favour of industrial action and 90% for action short of a strike. |
'Pay restraint' | 'Pay restraint' |
The Welsh government said it was disappointed with the ballot result as pay discussions were ongoing. | The Welsh government said it was disappointed with the ballot result as pay discussions were ongoing. |
When the results were announced a week ago, a Welsh government spokesperson said: "By 2015/16 the Welsh government's budget will be 10% lower in real terms than it was in 2010/11 - a reduction which equates to £1.5bn less. | When the results were announced a week ago, a Welsh government spokesperson said: "By 2015/16 the Welsh government's budget will be 10% lower in real terms than it was in 2010/11 - a reduction which equates to £1.5bn less. |
"With pay accounting for more than 60% of the NHS budget we have no choice but to consider some form of pay restraint to maintain jobs and frontline services." | "With pay accounting for more than 60% of the NHS budget we have no choice but to consider some form of pay restraint to maintain jobs and frontline services." |