Socialist Party Wales Socialism In Wales
By Dave Reid
Health visitors working for Cwm Taf Health Board have voted to extend their month-long strike for fair pay for a further two months, determined to win the banding which is theirs by right.
In a process that began in 2021, Health Board (HB) bosses signed an internal job grading matching them as a band 7 acknowledging a masters qualification instead of band 6. Health visitors play a vital role in supporting the parents of new-born babies and ensuring children have a good start to life – a life-saving service.
But the HB has ignored their own job description and have refused to discuss giving the workers the correct banding, costing many of them £9000 a year. So after being stonewalled for five years the health visitors started one month of strike on February 23 rd, now extended for two months, if necessary, to fight for equal pay.
The HB has tried to pass the buck on to the Welsh government and the Welsh government claims it is purely a matter for Cwm Taf. But the reality is that they should both sort it out. This is an issue that affects all health visitors in Wales and the Welsh government must ensure that they all are on the correct pay band. As John Williams standing for LGBT seat on the Unite Executive Council pointed out: “One phone call to the Health Board from the First Minister or health secretary could give health visitors fair pay.”
The workers have attempted to organise meetings with Jeremy Miles, the health secretary, but Miles has hidden away. He closed his surgery rather than meet the union reps and he claimed he was too busy to meet them at the Senedd, but the Health Visitors are determined to catch up with him and demand fair pay chanting outside the Senedd “Jeremy, Jeremy where are you? – Are you hiding? Shame on YOU!”
Eluned Morgan, the Labour First Minister, made a point of prioritising women’s health in her International Women’s Day address, but has done nothing when it comes to equal pay for women health workers. In her acceptance speech in 2024 she promised to be “a listening First Minister. I will listen to all…not just to those who have the most power”. But she has avoided hearing the health visitors demands for equal pay.
All this shows the hollowness of the social partnership promoted by Welsh Labour and the tops of TUC Cymru. The first meetings to discuss the banding started in 2021 under the partnership process – five years on and partnership has produced nothing. Scottish health visitors won Band 7 pay in 2017!
But Cwm Taf health visitors are fired up and ready to fight all the way. Unite the Union has backed them all the way and Cardiff Trade Union Council has mobilised support from other unions. The workers will lead the May Day march through Cardiff on May 2nd.
Send messages of solidarity to jodie.evans@unitetheunion.org
A three month strike requires funding for the hardship fund . Trade union branches should pay donations to:
Account Name: Unite Cwm Taf Health Board Branch 1051
Sort Code: 608301
Account: 20106942
Reference: Your Branch Name
