The Unison union are going to launch a ballot that is essentially going to gauge how many members plan on taking industrial action against the pay situation. They have found that there is an overwhelming majority that have voted against the 3% pay deal that is set to take place in England. The news has come less than a week after the Royal College of Nursing association took voting members and they all branded the deal unacceptable.

The results of the Union’s consultation have found that 80% of the members were against the pay and that 20% felt as though it wasn’t great but acceptable. The consultative exercise is going to run from July until September and it is open to anyone who is in England. It has followed an announcement that there is going to be a 3% increase in pay and that this is in line with the recommendations that are in line with the NHS review body The deal has come after months of delay. When you look at Scotland, you will see that a deal was imposed for those who work in homecare settings or even those who are pursuing a career in private nursing. They have given nurses a pay increase of 4% and members of the RCN were truly against this. They voted against the offer from the Scottish government and they did not feel as though this was enough. When you look at Ireland, you will see that nurses there are on track for a 3% increase but an announcement is yet to have taken place. This is not expected to appear until next month but there is going to be a budget review. The fact that many health staff have stated that they are willing to challenge the 3% should mean that the government thinks twice in the future.