Health workers start voting on whether to accept pay offer

Tens of thousands of health workers have started voting on whether to accept a three-year pay deal.

Members of Unite are being urged to accept a rise said to be worth 6.5% over three years, with more for some staff.

Unite said the offer breaks the Government's previous public sector pay cap and should be the start of a campaign for "true pay justice".

National officer Sarah Carpenter said: "After eight years of pay austerity, this package is a significant recognition that the harsh pay regime imposed on hard working and dedicated NHS staff could no longer be sustained.

"It should be stressed that this is a fully-funded deal - ie: new money - so it is not finance that is being taken away or diverted from cash-strapped NHS services. This is something the Government should have done a long time ago."

The ballot will close on June 5.

Other unions representing NHS staff ranging from nurses to porters are also balloting their members on whether to accept the deal.