The communications explained the strict legal requirements regarding the numbers participating in a formal ballot and the level of support for strike action that would have to be met for PDA Union members to participate in lawful industrial action, and receive the legal protection afforded by the 2016 Trade Union Act and other earlier legislation.
The survey was sent to over 7,000 PDA Union members directly employed in the NHS on Agenda for Change terms and conditions. It was open from 19 December to 3 January and was made available to members by direct email and publicised on the PDA website and social media. Reminders were also sent to members during this period and the survey was reported in the media. Although this was not a formal ballot, it was stressed that the turnout and result would be used to inform a decision on whether a formal ballot would be likely to achieve the requirements that are laid down in the legislation that governs such ballots.
The reaction to the survey represents the highest response to a survey of this sort in the history of the PDA Union. Members are, however, reminded that in addition to a majority voting for action, a formal ballot would require at least 50% of the members balloted to participate and at least 40% of the members balloted to vote ‘yes’ in order for industrial action to be lawfully taken. Although the PDA believes that these restrictions are unfair, bureaucratic, and designed to make exercising the right to take industrial action difficult, it is not an option for the PDA Union to ignore the legislation.
The PDA is now analysing the responses in detail, and this will be reported to the scheduled meeting of the PDA Union National Executive Committee (NEC) in January. It is for the NEC to decide whether to authorise any formal industrial action ballot.
A full update setting out the decisions and next steps will be provided to members after the NEC meeting later this month.
Learn more
- PDA asks members to confirm their strength of feeling about possible strike action over NHS pay
- Members where NHS pay increase results in reduced take-home pay
- PDA Union members working in the NHS in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland reject the NHS pay award
- NHS pay award England, Wales, and Northern Ireland fails to address the cost of living crisis
- PDA responds to announcement of significant job reductions at NHS England
- National Executive Committee elections 2023
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