NHS workers in Dumfries and Galloway are being balloted on taking strike action in their fight for better pay.
Unite members, including Scottish Ambulance staff, paramedics and call handlers, have until November 4 to vote.
The move follows the union’s rejection of a five per cent pay offer from the Scottish Government in June.
Unite officials insist the offer “doesn’t cut it” as inflation rises and the cost of living crisis bites.
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Scottish Government has refused to step up and back our health professionals with a decent and fair pay offer and Unite’s members across NHS Scotland are rightly angry.
“The heroes that we all applauded during the pandemic are being told to take a substantial real terms pay cut - yet another hit on NHS pay. When inflation is well into double-digits, five per cent just doesn’t cut it.
“NHS workers need to pay their bills and protect their families. Nobody wants to go on strike but they are being left with no choice now but to take a stand.”
Meanwhile, South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth met members of the Royal College of Nursing after they opened a ballot for strike action over pay last week.
Mr Smyth said: “Our amazing nurses deserve better than this – they deserve fair pay. We are currently in the midst of a cost of living crisis which is affecting everyone.
“Nurses are underpaid and our wards understaffed, and they are struggling. If we don’t give our nurses a decent pay rise, then we will continue to have understaffed wards.”
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said he will make a “significantly improved offer” the next time he meets with unions.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “I understand why trade unions are asking for a pay deal that is closer to inflation – because of the UK Government’s economic mismanagement inflation is through the roof.
“I have to present an improved offer but one that is within the financial envelope.
“I will be doing everything in my power to prevent industrial action from taking place, which includes in our next meeting with trade unions coming forward with a significantly improved pay offer for them.”
Elsewhere, industrial action looms for teachers as the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), opened a statutory ballot over pay. The union is urging members to vote for strikes.
General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “A series of much delayed and sub-inflation level pay offers from the employers have angered our members and forced this move towards strike action.”
Posties across Dumfries and Galloway were back on the picket line yesterday.
Members of the Communications Workers Union in Dumfries, Lockerbie and Castle Douglas took part in the latest round of industrial action due to an ongoing pay dispute with Royal Mail. Further strike action is scheduled for October 20.
