NHS workers vote to strike over pay

Unison’s NHS workers, including nurses, occupational therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks and healthcare assistants have voted to back strike action.

A total of 68 per cent voted in favour of being prepared to take part in a strikes while 32 per cent said no.

In the ballot which also asked if they were prepared to take part in action short of strike action, 88 per cent agreed while 12 per cent voted against.

The dispute is over pay in England, with union officials arguing that 60 per cent of NHS staff and 70 per cent of nurses will not get a pay rise for the next two years.

Unison is the UK’s largest health union with 300,000 NHS members in England.

There are 10 unions balloting in the NHS over pay, and plans over the date and type of action to be taken are still to be made.