NURSES, paramedics and other healthcare works across England, including Derbyshire, are expected to go on strike in a dispute over pay.
Members of union Unison said they have voted yes to industrial action after ministers gave NHS staff a 1% increase - but not for those who get automatic progression-in-the-job rises.
This decision went against the recommendation of an independent pay review board, which had suggested an across-the-board rise.
The union's general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This government's treatment of NHS workers has angered them and this anger has now turned into action.
"We know health workers don't take strike action lightly or often. The last action over pay was 32 years ago. But we also know a demoralised and demotivated workforce isn't good for patients.
"If we move into industrial action we will work with NHS employers to minimise the impact on patients. But it's not too late for Jeremy Hunt to act to avoid this and we repeat our offer to the Government to negotiate with us. To date the Secretary of State has refused to meet with health unions to negotiate pay."
Three other unions, the Royal College of Midwives, GMB and Unite, have also balloted their members. The results are expected over the next few weeks.
