NHS counsellors could strike over row about pay

The Unison union says 20 of its members are owed thousands of pounds

NHS mental health workers are voting on if they should go on strike in a row about pay.

The Unison union claims 20 of its members are being paid trainee rates, despite being fully qualified.

It said the counsellors, who work for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, were owed thousands of pounds.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind, which employs the counsellors, said hourly rates were set following an evaluation by an independent external body.

A Unison vote on whether to take industrial action closes on 17 March.

The union's eastern regional organiser, Cameron Matthews, said: "These counsellors provide essential support to people going through serious mental health issues across Norfolk and Suffolk.

"But Mind has been taking advantage of their commitment to patients, paying them thousands of pounds a year less than they deserve.

"After months of talks, the staff have understandably had enough and decided the only way to change Mind's stance is to vote for industrial action."

Cameron Matthews says Mind's bosses need to "come to their senses"

Unison said the row began last year when the counsellors, who were on band six of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale, asked to go up a pay band.

It claimed "no progress" was made during talks.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind insisted it wanted to work collaboratively with all parties involved to find a "productive and appropriate solution".

A spokesperson said: "We began to deliver the NHS Talking Therapies service on 1 September 2024.

"We have had the role in question evaluated by an independent external body, which advised us that the counsellors' pay grade is correct.

"We are in ongoing talks with UNISON, ACAS and staff representatives and are committed to resolving this situation through open and honest dialogue with all parties."

Norfolk and Waveney Mind said it would meet on 14 March to discuss the ongoing situation.