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From The Socialist newspaper, 6 October 2021
Unite health members say no to 3% and vote for action
Unite members protest outside Whipps Cross Hospital against the Tory NHS pay offer, 25.08.21. Photo: Isai Priya (Click to enlarge)
Health service members of Unite the Union in England have voted by 90% to reject the government's 3% pay offer for this year.
Unite, which represents 100,000 members in the health service, will now plan for a "comprehensive programme" of targeted industrial action in the coming months.
The consultative ballot also highlighted that of the 90% rejecting the offer, a total of 84% were willing to take some form of industrial action. Unite said it would now be liaising with other health trade unions, all of whose members have also overwhelmingly rejected the offer, to coordinate pay campaign actions.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members in the NHS in England have voted overwhelmingly to show their disdain at what is effectively another pay cut for those who cared for the dying and sick during the pandemic.
"With the cost of living soaring and tax hikes on the way, Unite is determined to ensure the government thinks again and offers our NHS workers the fair and decent pay they undeniably deserve."
Unite's long-standing policy has been for a pay rise of £3,000 a year or 15%, whichever is greater for all health sector workers.
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In The Socialist 6 October 2021:
What we think
Bakers' union disaffiliates from Labour
News
Sarah Everard trial reveals police abuse of power
Tories plunge millions further into poverty with Universal Credit cut
Railway bosses cook the books in another capitalist market failure
Glasgow's equal pay battle set to re-erupt
Pay NHS and care staff to address worker shortages
Workplace news
NEU: National executive agrees campaign on pay
Coordinated FE strike against measly pay offer
Unison LG members reject insulting pay offer
Unite health members say no to 3% and vote for action
Tesco warehouse rep fighting for reinstatement
Scunthorpe steel scaffolders strike for pay rise
Brighton waste workers walk out
Economy
Capitalism's economic instability in the 'new normal'
Youth Fight for Jobs
Youth Fight for Jobs - why we're marching on 9 October
Ten years since our 330-mile Jarrow March for Jobs
Campaigns news
Barking NHS: "Sorry, please try again later"
We have the right to breathe fresh air
Nottingham: Punish Labour for cruel cuts
London protest for Texas abortion rights
North West socialists join march against Tory conference
Fighting Fund target smashed - £31,703 raised
Obituary
Obituary - Dave Hardaker, 1952-2021
Review
Caffeine and capitalism - a symbiotic relationship
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2021