NHS staff vote in favour of industrial action
04 November 2011
Health service workers could strike later this month. NHS staff and managers voted overwhelming in favour of strike action today in protest at planned changes to public sector pensions.
Eighty two percent of health workers who are members of Unison, Britain’s biggest public sector union, said they were in favour of industrial action. However, only 25% took part in the vote.
The union is angry at proposals to raise the retirement age, scrap final salary pensions and increase employee contribution rates.
Yesterday the government made a renewed offer to unions including a pledge to protect those closest to retirement from some of the changes.
But Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON, said that the “decisive” yes vote in the ballot reflects “the deep concern” that his members have over the government's proposals.
He said: “Yesterday’s statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals. But it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks. We still have had no offer in those negotiations, where such an offer can legitimately be made."
The TUC’s planned day of action is on 30 November.