NHS walkout possible if no talks take place

Local TV

Members from the Unite union have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action after a 3.6% pay rise was rejected. Talks could still continue with the Welsh government over a new pay deal, but the union have said if that doesn’t happen a strike could be inevitable.

Transcript

00:00NHS staff across Wales are preparing to walk out, as pressure mounts on the Welsh Government

00:07to come back to the table with a better pay deal.

00:11It follows a consultative vote by Unite the Union, which represents thousands of frontline

00:15NHS workers, including ambulance crews.

00:19Nearly 9 in 10 members voted to reject a 3.6% pay award for 2025-26, and made clear they

00:25are willing to take strike action if nothing changes.

00:30Unite says this is about more than pay, it's about the future of the NHS in Wales.

00:35General Secretary Sharon Graham didn't mince her words, warning the service cannot survive

00:40unless the paying conditions of its workers are improved, and soon.

00:44She said any further exodus from the workplace will simply see the NHS in Wales fail to function.

00:51Unite is now urging the Welsh Government to reopen pay negotiations, saying that they

00:55still want to talk.

00:56But if that doesn't happen, a formal strike ballot could be just weeks away.

01:02The Union's lead health officer in Wales, Paul Sepman, says members don't want to strike,

01:07but will if needed.

01:08He said our sincere desire is to negotiate a better and much deserved pay increase, but

01:13our members are prepared to take action if there is no improved award.

01:18We haven't seen strike action in the NHS for a few months in Wales, but over the last few

01:23years there have been numerous walkouts from things like nurses and junior doctors, and

01:27if proposed industrial action does go ahead, strikes could hit vital services, especially

01:32ambulance provision, where Unite has strong membership.

01:35The Welsh Government hasn't responded to the latest comments from Unite, but the message

01:40from the workers is clear.

01:42Time is running out.

01:43Time is running out.

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