Thousands of NHS workers in Wales are to vote on potential strike action.

Ballot papers for health service members of Unite in Wales, started landing on doormats this week asking them whether they wish to take strike action or industrial action short of a strike over pay.

Unite, Wales’ largest union, is balloting its members over industrial action which may include strike action in the autumn over the devolved government’s ‘insufficient’ pay offer, which is intended to be unilaterally imposed in Wales in either September or October and proposed cuts to terms and condition of employment. The ballot closes on September 26.

Unite members are also unhappy about proposed introduction of cuts to sick pay entitlements for a number of staff, a reduction in mileage allowances below the rate at which the rest of the UK can claim and the introduction of what is, in effect, performance related pay.

Unite has 100,000 members in the health service, of which about 6,000 are in Wales.

Unite lead officer for health in Wales Richard Munn said: “Never have our members expressed such anger as they have on the pay and terms and conditions issue. The Welsh Government has treated these hard working health professionals terribly, totally ignoring the increasing gap between wages and the cost of living.