Physiotherapists in the UK have become the latest group of health workers to reject the government’s three-year pay offer, after members of other unions voiced anger over the proposals.
The 25,000-member-strong Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) said there had been a 98% vote against the proposed deal, which is worth a cumulative pay increase of just under 8%.
It was the first time in 12 years that a ballot was held by the CSP, whose members include physiotherapists, assistants and technical instructors.
“Our members have given a very clear message to the Government and NHS employers that the three-year deal is not good enough,” said Peter Finch, the CSP’s assistant director of employment relations. “At a time of increased economic uncertainty, and with inflation rising, a multi-year offer which represents a real-terms pay cut year on year is not acceptable.”
Other unions, including the GMB and Unite as well as the Royal College of Midwives, have also seen their members reject the deal, although radiographers have voted in favour. The biggest health workers’ union, Unison, will announce the result of its ballot later this week.
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