Your Industrial Action re-ballot will be posted to your HOME ADDRESS from the 15 August and will be open for 4 weeks closing on 12 September.
Q. Why are we voting again?
By law there is only a 6 month mandate for strike action. This period is about to expire and thefore a new ballot is needed to continue strike action.
Q. Why should I vote YES to strike action?
A. The Trust has so far failed to meet your demands on back pay. Voting yes to strike action will allow you and your colleugues to campaign for what you deserve.
Voting YES to strike action will send the strongest message possible to the Trust that you need to be rewarded, respected, and recognised properly for the work you have been doing.
Q. Will I get strike pay if I go out on strike?
A. As with the previous industrial action, strike pay is normally £50 a day from the first day of action, if authorised. Strike pay cannot exceed normal take-home pay, so if a member would earn less than £50 on a strike day, they can only claim their maximum take-home pay.
Q. Why is the ballot by post?
A. This is a legal ballot for industrial action which must be conducted by post due to legislation introduced by the previous government.
Q. When do I need to post it by?
A. It’s crucial that you post your ballot back immediately but by no later than the 09 September 2025, to ensure that it reaches Civica (the ballot administrator) by the closing date.
Q. I am not a member. Can I join and have a vote?
A. Yes – you can join online at join.unison.org.uk. However, you must join by noon 22 August 2025 and contact us at n.ballots@unison.co.uk after you have joined to request a ballot paper.
Q.What do I do if I do not receive a ballot?
If you do not receive a ballot paper by 21 August and you believe you should have done, contact n.ballots@unison.co.uk.
Q. Why is UNISON not asking Bank staff to take part in the industrial action ballot?
A. We are not asking Bank staff to participate in the industrial action ballot because Bank staff are unable to take strike action due to the nature of your contracts. However, we will make it clear to the Trust that our position is that any re-banding process must include bank staff and that you should not be treated any differently to your substantive colleagues.
We would encourage members to support colleagues in our ballot process and urge them to Vote YES for Industrial Action.
Q. When will we be going out on strike and how long will we be out for?
A. If further strike action is needed, the length and dates will be decided in consultation with your organising committee at the end of the ballot period.
Q: What do we need to achieve to win?
A: To be able to strike we need at least 50% of HCAs (Healthcare Assistants) to vote and at least 40% of all included in the ballot to vote YES to strike action.
Q: Will people know how I have voted?
A: The ballot is entirely confidential as it is not conducted by UNISON or the Trust, so your decision is private.
Q: I am worried about patients, who will cover our work?
A: The best thing for patient safety in the long term is to put patients first by staffing the hospital properly and give staff the support you need to do your jobs. We will work closely with the Trust to make sure there is no threat to life and limb. It is the Trusts responsibility to arrange for replacement staff to cover your work.
Q: Can you get in trouble for taking strike action?
A: No, you have the legal right to take industrial action.