Seven in 10 people support NHS and care workers getting a pay rise in line with spiralling prices, a poll has found.
Unite said the survey shows ministers are “out of step” with the public.
The union, which represents 100,000 NHS employees, has announced it will ballot health staff including nurses, dental workers and administrative staff on strike action.
A Survation poll, commissioned by Unite, found 73 per cent believe NHS and care staff should get rises that keep up with the increasing cost of living.
General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Once again this government is way out of step with public opinion.
“There is overwhelming support for NHS workers who are about to embark on a major battle for fair pay in the middle of a cost of living catastrophe.
“NHS workers made huge sacrifices during the pandemic, the public haven’t forgotten but Tory ministers conveniently have.”
Notices for formal industrial action proceedings will be served by Unite across a host of NHS employers that cover nursing, psychology, counselling, dentistry, audiology, optometry, maintenance, administration and IT.
Unite’s national officer for health Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe said: “It is enormously heartening that the public support the demands of NHS workers for a decent pay rise that meets the rising cost of living.
“The strike ballots across the NHS are growing and growing because our members don’t just desire a decent pay rise, but want to protect our NHS and deliver better services for patients.”
Survation interviewed 6,007 adults between 24 and 30 August.
