Hundreds of workers across NHS Ayrshire & Arran are to be balloted for industrial action.
UNISON has announced that it will officially ballot its 50,000 NHS members across Scotland over pay.
The ballot will open on Monday, October 3.
The outcome could have serious implications for NHS services across the region; especially for nurses, midwives and support staff such as domestics, porters and administration workers.
The announcement comes as UNISON confirmed the results of its digital consultation on pay.
A consultative ballot is the first stage of the process towards industrial action. However, to take strike action, the union must now run a postal ballot.
In a letter to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the union confirmed that 83 per cent of its members had voted to take industrial action over pay following a Scottish Government offer of a five per cent increase across the board.
Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON Scotland's health committee said: “UNISON members have spoken loud and clear.
“They worked flat out during the pandemic and were promised so much by politicians and yet, when it comes to the crunch, our domestics, caterers, porters and other low-paid members are only worth an extra £900 per year.
“Our members in nursing were offered less than £1,500 whilst senior managers are offered more than £5,000 in the same pay deal. So much for all staff being valued equally.”
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland head of health, called on the First Minister to intervene and avoid strikes.
He said: “This is the first time since devolution that NHS workers have been balloted for strike over pay. The First Minister must step in now to ensure that UNISON members get a fair deal on pay and that we avoid the need for workplace stoppages as we approach the winter.”
Meanwhile, GMB members rejected a Scottish Government pay offer by an overwhelming 97 per cent. Now it seems the union will also lay the groundwork for statutory industrial action ballots.
It follows an extensive consultation of members over whether to accept or reject a five per cent “final offer” tabled by the cabinet secretary for health and social care in June.
GMB Scotland organiser Karen Leonard said: “GMB members have sent a clear message that government must do more to help them confront the cost-of-living crisis and avoid the prospect of more NHS staff slipping into working poverty this winter.
“However, if these hard truths are not recognised and confronted then industrial action affecting NHS services looks inevitable in the months ahead.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
