UNISON members working for the NHS in mid-Cheshire will stage two separate periods of industrial action this month.

Union leaders have warned that all services will be affected by the action, which has been voted for by members across the north west region. Unison members will stage a four-hour stoppage from 7am-11am on Monday, October 13.

This will be followed by four days of action short of a strike between Tuesday and Friday, October 14-17, when members will commit to take their scheduled breaks.

Paul Foley, Unison North West’s head of health said: “NHS workers cannot keep taking year after year of cuts to their living standards. “It is over 30 years since the last strike over pay in the health service and our members feel there is no option but to take action now. “Health staff have lost thousands of pounds over the past five years and many are struggling to pay household bills. Low pay in the NHS is creating problems of staff recruitment and retention that will inevitably impact on patient care.

“All services will be affected by the strike but we will work with employers to ensure that there will be cover for essential and emergency services.

“It’s not too late for Jeremy Hunt to act to avoid strike action. To date, the Secretary of State has refused to meet health unions for pay talks without strings. We remain ready and willing to negotiate at any time.” In a recent ballot 68 per cent of Unison members voted for industrial action and 88 per cent for action short of strike action in a ballot which closed on September 18.