Nurses in greater Glasgow, who provide essential medical services to patients in their homes, have voted overwhelmingly (96%) to strike in a dispute over their pay grades, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
The union says the nurses in greater Glasgow could strike for the first time in a local dispute since the 1980s if the dispute cannot be resolved.
The district nurses at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde have spent years waiting for a review of their job descriptions and pay banding, UNISON says.
They are currently on band 6 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale but their increasingly complex responsibilities should be paid at a higher pay grade, says the union.
GMB Scotland, Unite and the Royal College of Nursing are also consulting staff on willingness to take strike action.
UNISON Scotland area organiser Henrietta Cameron said: “District nurses in Glasgow have had years of delays and they’ve had enough.
“These nurses are committed to caring for their patients out in the community, going on strike is the last thing they want to do.
“But they are determined to get a fair deal. Staff just want to be paid fairly, senior managers must show these NHS staff the respect they deserve.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON wants NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to re-evaluate district nurse jobs. That includes retrospective re-banding and back pay.
– UNISON asked staff if they prepared to strike which closed today (Tuesday) They voted overwhelmingly in favour with 96% voting yes.
– UNISON is the largest health union in Scotland representing over 60,000 NHS staff in Scotland including nurses, midwives, call handlers, paramedics, administrators, allied professional staff, caterers, porters and facilities staff.