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National Health Service staff across Wales have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay. Members of Unite rejected a 3.6% pay award and indicated they are prepared to take industrial action demanding that the Welsh government make improvements. Almost nine in 10 workers rejected the pay award and said they were prepared to take strike action. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘The government in Wales needs to address critical problems now, and the biggest is the pay and conditions of frontline workers without whom the NHS cannot survive. ‘Workers cannot wait any longer for decent pay and better conditions. Any further exodus from the workplace will simply see the NHS in Wales fail to function. ‘The Senedd needs to come back with an improved pay offer before it’s too late.’ Unite is calling on the Welsh government to open up pay negotiations with unions. If negotiations on pay do not happen Unite said it will have no choice but to start the formal industrial action ballot process. Any industrial action will affect a number of services including ambulance services where Unite has particularly high membership. Unite lead health officer for Wales Paul Seppman said: ‘Our sincere desire is to negotiate a better and much deserved pay increase for our members and NHS staff but our members are prepared to take action if there is no improved award.’ By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent Press Association: Finance source: PA Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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