NHS strike suspended after improved pay offer from the government
Thousands of staff including hospital porters, cleaners, ambulance staff, radiographers and nurses were to take part in a 12-hour strike from 9am on Thursday.
But the action has been suspended following meetings between unions and the health secretary Jeremy Hunt.
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Hide AdStrikes were called after the government decided not to award all NHS workers a one per cent pay rise, despite this being recommended in an independent review.
Public sector union Unison said two NHS strikes held last year had moved the government to negotiate over pay.
Christina McAnea, Unison’s head of health, said: “This isn’t a great offer but it addresses some of the key concerns unions have about low pay in the NHS.
“In the interest of patients’ safety unions will now consult members.
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Hide Ad“It will be up to members to decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If they choose to reject them we will move to further industrial action.”
Unions including the Royal College of Midwives, Unite and GMB have also suspended the strike action.
The Society of Radiographers said it would be recommending its members accept the revised pay offer.