Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board's director has received a £30,000 pay increase while health visitors remain on strike over a pay dispute, Unite the union has revealed. The health board said it is disappointed with the union's decision to extend strike action for up to 12 months.
Strike action over banding dispute
Health visitors across Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Merthyr Tydfil have been on strike since February 2026 due to a dispute over pay. The workers claim they are being paid as band six employees despite internal job grading matching them as band seven, a difference of up to £9,000.
Despite the Welsh Government instructing the health board to honour the job evaluation process, the board has not done so, and the dispute continues.
Director's pay rise
Unite says Hywel Daniel, the health board's director, has received a £30,000 pay increase on top of his £200,000 earnings. On Tuesday, striking health visitors handed a petition to the Senedd signed by thousands of members of the public calling for Mr Daniel's resignation.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a shocking example of rewards for failure. Hywel Daniel’s actions are at the very heart of this dispute and yet the health board think it is acceptable to give him a whopping pay rise. He is guilty of underpaying hardworking and dedicated health visitors. Rather than be rewarded he should be removed.”
Union vote to extend strike
Unite says its members have voted overwhelmingly to continue strike action, which could now be extended to a further 12 months. The union is calling on the new Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government to resolve the dispute.
A spokesman for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “We are disappointed with Unite’s decision to further extend this strike action, which was notified to us on Monday, July 13. The health board remains committed to finding a resolution to this dispute as soon as possible and is currently discussing with Unite how this can be achieved. We thank local families affected for their understanding and we continue to work with our staff to maintain essential services during this action.”
