"Bolton’s health bosses need to act to ensure that hospital staff get the pay rise that they need and deserve.” 

UNISON members at Royal Bolton Hospital have overwhelmingly voted in favour of taking industrial action over pay. 

97% voted to take strike action, with a turnout of 65%.  The ballot result exceeds the legal threshold for industrial action.

The staff work in roles including cleaning, catering and portering.  They are employed by Bolton iFM – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust. 

Staff have voted for strike action because they are not being paid the nationally-agreed wage increase for NHS staff that is worth nearly £2,000 this year for the lowest-paid workers – a percentage increase of more than 10%.  Bolton iFM have offered only 2%. 

Local health bosses have still not applied for government funding that could cover the cost of the nationally-agreed pay rise.   

Tim Ellis, UNISON Regional Organiser said:

“This is an overwhelming vote for strike action and shows the strength of feeling amongst hospital staff.  It is simply unfair that staff are being kept on poverty pay rates because they happen to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary company.  Workers doing the same jobs in other hospitals are rightly getting significant pay rises, and hospital staff in Bolton should be getting what they are due.    

“There is now a real prospect of strike action next month.  Bolton’s health bosses need to act quickly and ensure that hospital staff get the pay rise that they need and deserve.”