NHS IN STRIKE VOTE AS 5% IS REJECTED

Years of cuts leave workers on breadline

-  VIVIENNE AITKEN

NHS employees are preparing to go on strike after rejecting a five per cent pay increase.

The GMB union will today launch their ballot for industrial action and health workers could stage a walk-out in November.

It comes as staff claim years of below-inflation pay rises have left many on the breadline and needing to use food banks.

Union members are expected to vote in favour of action after rejecting the Scottish Government's latest increase in June. Officials said the offer was "the biggest single year pay rise NHS Agenda for Staff have seen since devolution".