NHS counsellors across Norfolk and Waveney are voting on potential strikes after being underpaid by thousands of pounds a year, says UNISON today.
The 20 counsellors say they are paid trainee rates, despite being fully qualified. Many of the staff involved have worked for decades.
They’re currently employed by Norfolk and Waveney Mind to provide talking therapy services for patients with long-term or complicated mental health problems at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
The workers are paid at band 6 of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale. But the staff believe they should be on the next level up, which means they ought to be receiving thousands of pounds a year more, says the union.
Staff have spent the last year pushing to be moved to the correct hourly rates. But UNISON says no progress has been made during talks, leaving the counsellors with no choice but to ballot for strikes. The ballot is now open and closes on 27 March.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “These counsellors provide essential support to people going through serious mental health issues across Norfolk and Waveney.
“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. Mind bosses now need to come to their senses and pay the counsellors what they’re due.”
Update
Following Acas-facilitated talks on 14 March, UNISON and Norfolk & Waveney Mind have issued the following joint statement:
After productive talks, both parties have agreed that there needs to be a wider conversation with the commissioning body, to clarify service provisions and work force arrangements in regard to the counselling service provision within the local NHS talking therapies service.
