Norfolk and Suffolk NHS counsellors threaten to strike over pay
A Unison vote on whether to take industrial action closes on 17 March.The union's eastern regional organiser, Cameron Matthews, said: "These counsellors provide essential support to people going through serious mental health issues across Norfolk and Suffolk."But Mind has been taking advantage of their commitment to patients, paying them thousands of pounds a year less than they deserve."After months of talks, the staff have understandably had enough and decided the only way to change Mind's stance is to vote for industrial action."
Unison said the row began last year when the counsellors, who were on band six of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale, asked to go up a pay band.It claimed "no progress" was made during talks.Norfolk and Waveney Mind insisted it wanted to work collaboratively with all parties involved to find a "productive and appropriate solution".A spokesperson said: "We began to deliver the NHS Talking Therapies service on 1 September 2024."We have had the role in question evaluated by an independent external body, which advised us that the counsellors' pay grade is correct."We are in ongoing talks with UNISON, ACAS and staff representatives and are committed to resolving this situation through open and honest dialogue with all parties."Norfolk and Waveney Mind said it would meet on 14 March to discuss the ongoing situation.
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