Dave Reid, Socialist Party Wales secretary
Health visitors working for Cwm Taf Health Board, members of Unite, 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.
Health visitors play a vital role in supporting the parents of new-born babies and ensuring children have a good start to life.
In a process that began in 2021, health board bosses signed an internal job grading which matched them as Band 7, acknowledging a Masters qualification. But the board has ignored their own job description, costing many of the workers £9,000 a year.
So after being stonewalled for five years, the health visitors started strike action on 23 February.
The health board has tried to pass the buck to the Welsh government, and the Labour-led 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 election to the LGBT seat on Unite’s Executive Council, speaking at the strike rally at the Senedd, pointed out to applause: “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 gathered outside the Senedd chanted: “Jeremy, Jeremy where are you? Are you hiding? Shame on you!”
Eluned Morgan, Labour First Minister, prioritised women’s health in her International Women’s Day address, and 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 women health visitors.
All this shows the hollowness of the ‘social partnership’ promoted by Welsh Labour and the tops of the TUC Cymru (Trades Union Congress in Wales). The first meetings to discuss banding started under the partnership process five years ago and have produced nothing. Scottish health visitors won Band 7 pay in 2017!
But Cwm Taf health visitors are ready to fight. 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 2 May.
- Messages of solidarity: jodie.evans@unitetheunion.org
Donations to the hardship fund:
Account Name: Unite Cwm Taf Health Board Branch 1051
Sort Code: 608301
Account: 20106942
Reference: Your Branch Name
