Health visitors in Cwm Taf who have been on strike for 23 weeks say they are being let down by the new Plaid Cymru government. The industrial action, which began on February 23, has no end in sight and workers warn it could extend to 12 months.
Pay dispute over banding
The row centres on pay: health visitors are being paid as band six workers despite internal job grading recognising them as band seven, reflecting a masters qualification. Union members say the health board has refused to acknowledge its own job descriptions and pay accordingly.
In April, a letter signed by now First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth described the dispute as “prolonged and escalated.” It stated: “Despite five weeks of industrial action, demonstrations, political engagement and facilitated discussions, there has been little evidence of meaningful progress or resolution. This ongoing failure to reach a fair settlement is unacceptable.” The letter was also signed by Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter and former MP Beth Winter.
Health visitors’ frustration
Health visitors say many backed Plaid Cymru in May’s election due to pre-election promises and believe only the health minister can intervene. One anonymous health visitor said: “When we were at the Senedd the week before recess, we met with Senedd members and told them: ‘Pre-election you promised you would resolve this, we spoke to Rhun ap Iorwerth and I even said to Sera Evans, our local MS, I got my friends and family to vote for you.’ They’ve had since May 9 to resolve this, but 23 weeks being on strike means families are being impacted.”
She added the toll on staff: “I feel I’m grieving my job, when you love your job and what you do, when that’s taken away from you I feel I’m grieving. … We can’t give in now, we have to stay strong. In the early stages we were let down by the executive board members, but now I feel let down by Plaid as well, it’s been a double hit.”
Government response
In June, Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor said he had spoken to the chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board but called it “a dispute between the health board and Unite that relates to a series of decisions over several years.” He urged both parties to negotiate. In a separate answer, he said a new national framework for NHS pay was being drawn up but noted Unite was not part of the process due to the dispute.
In July, Unite called for health board director Hywel Daniel to resign, saying he received a £30,000 pay increase during the dispute. Unite regional officer Paul Seppman said: “Plaid Cymru talked the talk in the run up to the election, now is the time for it to commit to resolving this dispute. If Plaid cannot deliver on this simple promise, you would have to question their credibility on delivering for the wider NHS going forward.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the concerns of the affected staff who would not have taken the decision to strike lightly. … The cabinet minister for health and care has discussed the current situation with the chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and also Unite and has been clear that this regrettable situation should not have occurred in the first place. He expects both parties to get back round the table to find a solution to the ongoing dispute.”
