MEMBERS of a major public services trade union who work for the NHS in Wales are set to reject a new pay offer from the Welsh Government.

Union UNISON have described the new offer as "derisory" and will advise staff to reject the offer at a consultation ballot.

If the offer is rejected by a majority, there will be a ballot to decide if staff will take industrial action.

The Welsh Government have previously offered a three per cent pay rise to NHS workers and have also suggested a one-off, unconsolidated one per cent and a day’s additional annual leave.

Under the new offer, staff could sell back their unused annual leave from their carry over from 2020/21 plus a proportion of leave from 2021/22.

The Welsh Governemnt also pledged to put resources behind a partnership group that looks at staff welfare and bring together new initiatives and existing best practice.

But UNISON has said this falls short of its request for all NHS staff to receive an increase of £2,000, and is below inflation rates.

Eight-seven per cent of NHS workers in Wales who belong to UNISON have already voted against the imposition of a below-inflation award and the union expects its members to reject the new offer.

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Dawn Ward, chair of UNISON Cymru Wales’ Health Committee, said: "NHS staff can’t understand why politicians think it’s alright for healthcare workers to be given a below inflation pay rise.

"After everything we’ve given during Covid, after a decade of pay freezes or pay caps that have squeezed our family budgets.

"We deserve much more.

"Clapping is not enough.

"We want to send the strongest possible signal that Welsh government should treat NHS staff with dignity.

"UNISON remains available for pay negotiations, but we need the health minister to return with an acceptable offer."

UNISON has written to health minister Eluned Morgan to reopen negotiations.