HEALTH visitors working in south Wales are to strike for four weeks, alleging they are underpaid by between £8,000 to £9,000 per year.

Unite said that the community outreach workers for new mothers and families are furious that they are only being paid as band six workers. 

This is despite internal job grading at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board now matching them as a band seven, acknowledging a masters qualification. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an outrageous ploy from a health board to try and avoid paying its essential staff the money they are worth.

“This is a significant pay difference that has left our members undervalued and underpaid. They have been left with little choice but to take strike action and will have the full support of Unite in this dispute.”

The strike will run from February 23 to March 20. The board was contacted for comment.