Unite workers vote to strike in NHS staff pay dispute

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/26/nhs-strike-unite-union-october-public-sector-pay

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Growing numbers of public sector employees are set to go on strike after more health workers voted in favour of industrial action in a row with the government over pay.

Members of Unite backed action in a ballot and will join other NHS staff in a walkout on 13 October.

Unison has already announced a four-hour stoppage on that day, followed by four days of other forms of industrial action. Unions are angry with the government for rejecting a recommended 1% pay rise for NHS staff.

Council workers will strike on 14 October and civil servants a day later in separate disputes with the coalition.

Unite said its members will strike for four hours from 7am on 13 October while its members in England will work to rule between 13 October and 9 November.

Its ambulance staff will also impose an overtime ban in their respective trusts between 13-19 October.

Unite head of health Rachael Maskell said: “As David Cameron gathers for his party conference in Birmingham this weekend, he can contemplate the damage he and his party have wrought on the NHS in the last four years.

“One of his most destructive actions has been how he and his health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, have targeted NHS staff to bear the brunt of the austerity measures. Our members have seen their incomes fall by up to 15% in real terms since May 2010.”