Health workers 'to reject pay deal'

Another health workers' union is to recommend rejection of a three-year pay offer, threatening a fresh confrontation with the Government.

The GMB, which represents 25,000 staff, including ambulance workers, cleaners, maintenance and ancillary staff, said pay talks should be reopened in an attempt to improve the suggested 8.1% deal.

National officer Sharon Holder said consultations with union officials and activists showed a "resounding" call to reject the offer.

The GMB urged the Government to pay a review body recommendation of 2.75% this year but to improve offers for subsequent years.

The ballot result will be known at the end of the month and follows moves by leaders of midwives and physiotherapists to also recommend rejection of the three-year deal.

The biggest health workers' union, Unison, is balloting half a million of its members on whether to accept the offer, without making a recommendation, while the Royal College of Nursing is urging its 300,000 members to accept.

The Government has warned the offer could be reduced if it is rejected.

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