District nurses vote for strike action in pay banding dispute

District nurses in the greater Glasgow area have voted for strike action in a dispute over pay banding.

Unison said the nurses have “had enough” after spending years waiting for a review of their job descriptions and pay banding.

The union said the nurses are currently on band six of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale but their “increasingly complex responsibilities should be paid at a higher pay grade”.

Members voted “overwhelmingly” in favour when asked if they were prepared to strike in a ballot which closed on Tuesday, with 96% voting yes, Unison said.

Unison Scotland area organiser Henrietta Cameron said: “District nurses in Glasgow have had years of delays and they’ve had enough.

“These nurses are committed to caring for their patients out in the community, going on strike is the last thing they want to do.

“But they are determined to get a fair deal. Staff just want to be paid fairly, senior managers must show these NHS staff the respect they deserve.”

The district nurses provide essential medical services to patients in their homes.

Unison said it could be the first time nurses in the greater Glasgow area strike in a local dispute since the 1980s if the issue cannot be resolved.

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “We greatly value the work of our district nurses and fully support the modernisation of roles.

“We have recently met with trade unions and remain in dialogue as we seek a resolution to this matter.”