Raigmore radiographers to vote on strike action
Voting papers have been sent to members of the Society of Radiographers across the UK asking them if they will take industrial action against the NHS.
More than 19,000 diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy professionals will have the choice whether to support strike action, or to take action short of an all-out strike.
The SoR says the ballot is “inevitable” because of a continuing pay freeze, the fourth in the past five years. Other health service trades unions are also consulting with their members over the same issue.
“Radiographers, in common with many other people who work in the NHS, have simply had enough of their goodwill and loyalty being taken advantage of,” said Paul Moloney, the Society’s trade union and industrial relations manager.
“The economy is growing and working people have had to accept ever decreasing standards of living for long enough. Pay has been eroded by inflation and the government year-after-year has refused even the smallest of increases,” he continued.
“In real terms radiographers and many millions of others who work in the NHS have taken a pay cut and there is no increase planned for next year either.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, has instructed the independent pay review body for the NHS to not make a pay recommendation for 2015.
Mr Moloney commented: “Our members are dedicated to their work and to the care of their patients. They frequently work unpaid overtime to ensure that patient care is of the highest quality.”
The Society will know the result of the ballot by October 3 and the organisation’s UK Council will make a decision about what action will be taken during the following week.