**Cardiff Healthcare Workers Stage Protest Over Pay Dispute**
Healthcare support workers from the University Hospital of Wales gathered outside Woodland House in Cardiff on Monday morning in a growing dispute over pay equality. The protest, which began at 9am, saw a large turnout of care staff and supporters who claim they are not receiving fair or equal pay compared to similar health workers in neighbouring cities, such as Swansea.
Band two healthcare support workers, who play a pivotal role in aiding patients with daily care – from helping with hygiene and meals to assisting with mobility and recording vital health details – have raised concerns that their remuneration does not match colleagues doing equivalent work elsewhere in Wales. Many staff members say this wage gap undermines both staff morale and the important work they do.
Placards held aloft carried messages demanding “pay fair for patient care,” as demonstrators voiced their frustration with what they view as longstanding inequalities. Some workers outlined that despite taking on expanded duties, including some clinical responsibilities under the Agenda for Change scheme, they have not seen a corresponding rise in their salaries.
The protest comes at a time when the role of health care support workers has begun to shift and expand beyond traditional boundaries. According to a spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, the job now regularly involves both core care duties and additional clinical support, baring more responsibility but apparently without an appropriate uplift in pay.
Leaders from UNISON Cymru, one of the largest public sector workers’ unions, were present in support of the protestors. Steve Belcher, UNISON Cymru’s regional organiser, provided a cautiously optimistic outlook following a crucial meeting with the health board representatives. He remarked, “The discussion today was very positive and we are hopeful that this long-standing issue will be resolved to the satisfaction of all involved.” However, Belcher indicated that a more concrete update would only be available once the union reviews written confirmation from the authorities detailing the outcomes of these talks.
In response to the protest and ongoing negotiations, the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board issued a statement acknowledging the importance of being fair and consistent across all its staff roles. The Board emphasised its commitment to collaborate with trade unions and align job descriptions with the current responsibilities of healthcare workers. The Health Board also revealed that from July, they intend to launch a ‘Validation of Skill Set Process’ to help ensure that support workers are accurately placed in either band two or band three positions, depending on their duties and skills. This review and assessment are expected to conclude by December 2025.
The health board’s pledge seeks to address the evolving nature of healthcare work, aiming to bring clarity and fairness to roles that some say have changed significantly in recent years. Many workers see this as a step in the right direction, though a period of uncertainty remains as discussions continue behind closed doors.
Amidst these developments, care staff remain resolute, urging for swift and just action to correct perceived pay imbalances. They argue that equitable remuneration is not just a matter of staff welfare but also critically tied to the quality of patient care delivered across the health service.
As talks progress, both unions and workers stress the need for transparency and a fair timeline for implementing changes that truly recognise the contribution of health care support staff. For many in Cardiff, the protest marks not just a stand for higher pay, but a demand for recognition of the increasingly complex and vital work done by those supporting the city’s hospital patients every day.
The situation remains fluid, with further announcements expected as negotiations continue between the health board and union representatives. Healthcare support workers and their supporters, meanwhile, are determined to maintain their campaign until their concerns are properly addressed, and parity is achieved.