Council letter raises pressure on health board to resolve strike

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STRIKING health visitors welcomed today a council letter to the health board and the Welsh government calling for a resolution to the dispute.

Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) full council meeting agreed a statement and letter to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) and the Welsh government.

The letter raises concerns about the impact of the Unite Wales health visitors strike, which started in February.

Unite members at the health board took action after the health board’s refusal to recognise their skills and experience and pay them at the correct pay band.

The letter from council leader Ann Crimmings was also signed by all council group leaders and said: “RCT Council recognises the important role that Health Visitors play in supporting babies, children and families, and notes the ongoing dispute involving health visitors represented by Unite the union.

“This council is concerned about the potential impact that the ongoing dispute, together with wider workforce pressures, may be having on the delivery of health visiting services.”

The council called on the health board to resolve the dispute, and also called on Health Secretary Mabon ap Gwynfor to support a resolution to the dispute.

It also asked the health board to attend a full council meeting to address the matters raised and respond directly to questions from elected members.

A Unite spokesperson said: “Unite strongly welcomes the council’s intervention, as the union and our members have been strongly lobbying the local councils to take a stance.

“The health board needs to immediately agree to pay our health visitors their correct grade or face the consequences of growing public anger.”

Last week, the strikers wrote an open letter to Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth calling on the Plaid government to honour its pre-election promises and bring the long-running dispute to an end.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We continue to urge both parties to get back round the table to find a solution in the interests of staff and families alike as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson for CTMUHB said: “We have received this letter and will respond directly to the council on the matters raised.

“We share the concerns expressed by councillors about the significant impact of the industrial action and recognise the importance of the health board and Unite working together to secure a resolution as soon as possible.”