Unite opens new ballots across England and Wales, including blood and transplant services, on top of thousands already balloted 

Workers warn this is now a fight to save the NHS

Nearly 10,000 NHS workers are to be balloted in the coming days over strike action this winter, on top of thousands of other healthcare members who have already been balloted. Unite is also planning to ballot thousands more in the next months.  

Unite the union, which represents 100,000 workers across the NHS, says that voting papers are going out across 36 NHS trusts and organisations across England and Wales as the fight to save the NHS and reverse 12 years of attacks on pay steps up.

Members working in frontline patient care and essential services such as the blood and transplant services will vote on possible strike action. 

The rolling ballots will close before Christmas meaning that workers could walk out in January 2023. 

Unite has warned that the coming Budget is the last chance to deliver the serious investment in services and pay that are needed to prevent the looming crisis.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite members are now fighting for the very existence of the NHS itself. Crushing staff shortages mean patients’ lives are now at risk. Twelve years of senseless cuts have driven workers from our most essential public service.  

“Make no mistake, our NHS is under siege. Rishi Sunak has to wake up and smell the coffee because our NHS is being brought to ruin under his watch. This Thursday, in the Budget, he has one last chance to do good by the NHS and its workers.”

This new phase will see workers join Unite’s members across the ambulance service in England who are currently being balloted, with their ballot closing on Wednesday 30 November. NHS staff in Scotland have already voted for strike action. 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

From 0800 hrs on Monday (14 November), Unite NHS members will be available for interview at St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster, London. Full details of how to attend are available here.

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion

Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.