HEALTH workers across Wyre Forest have started voting on whether to take industrial action over pay later in the year.

More than 350,000 NHS workers across England are being balloted after the Government decided not to accept a recommended one per cent pay rise.

Health working members of the three largest trade unions, Unison, GMB and Unite, will all have the chance to vote for industrial action.

The ballot will close on September 18 with the threatening legal action scheduled to take place in October.

Ravi Subramanian, Unison regional secretary for the West Midlands, said: “We all know the NHS relies on the good will and expertise of its staff and this derisory pay offer recognises neither of these qualities.

“NHS workers have been badly hit suffering from repeated low pay in contrast to the rising cost of living.

“Voting for strike action is never an easy decision but even more so for NHS workers who spend their lives caring for people but the Government’s refusal to give the vast majority of health workers any pay increase this year is a slap in the face.”

Clair Campbell, Unison regional organiser for health, said: “NHS staff are on average 10 per cent worse off than when the coalition came to power and this means their families are suffering from declining standards of living.

“Morale is hitting rock bottom and it is recognized that a well motivated workforce benefits patients experience and saves lives.

“We need to cherish and support our NHS and its staff who work day in day out caring for others.”

The ballot covers health workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as the government in Scotland has agreed to pay the one per cent recommended as well as giving extra to low-paid workers.