Health unions to ballot on strikes over pay

[annie]

Two key health unions are to ballot their members in England on industrial action, including strikes, over pay.

Unison and the Royal College of Midwives announced they would be taking the step over the pay offer made in March. It is the first time midwives have been balloted in their history.

Ministers said NHS staff would get 1%, but it would not apply to those who get automatic progression-in-the-job rises.

These cover about half of staff and are worth 3% a year on average.

They are designed to reward professional development.

But the decision by ministers went against the recommendation of the independent pay review board, which had called for an across-the-board rise.

In Scotland, the recommendation was agreed to in full
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28417559