COUNTY NHS workers are to stage a four-hour strike on Monday, November 24 as part of walk-outs across England.

Midwives will be among those set to walk out at a yet-to-be-announced time following a national ballot.

Members took action after the Government refused to follow an independent pay review board’s recommendation of a one per cent increase for all.

Instead, only staff without automatic pay rises got a one per cent rise this financial year.

It follows a 7am to 11am walk-out on October 13, including by the Royal College of Midwives for the first time in its 133-year history.

Unions set to take part include Unison, Unite and the Royal College of Midwives.

Unison Oxfordshire Health branch secretary Mark Ladbrooke said: “We anticipate there will be strong support across Oxfordshire for further strike action.

“Clearly living standards have fallen dramatically across the last few years, particularly in Oxford, where we have London prices without London wages.

“We have attempted year after year to negotiate with the Government but with no success. There is also a big issue with the living wage in Oxford.”

Chair of NHS trade unions Christina McAnea said: “All we are ask is fair pay.”

This month’s strike saw hundreds walk out and pickets outside county hospitals including Oxford’s John Radcliffe and Churchill.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “NHS staff are our greatest asset and we want to make the current pay system fairer, which is why we have put forward proposals that would ensure all staff get at least a one per cent pay rise this year and next, but these have been rejected by the unions.”

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