STRIKING health visitors marched on the Senedd today to press their demands for fair pay, demanding a meeting with the Welsh government.

The workers have been on strike for three weeks after a job evaluation moved their roles to a higher grade.

Health visitors, who do vital community outreach work for new mothers and families, walked out after the health board refused to act on the conclusions of an internal grading review that put them on band seven, acknowledging that those who do such work need a master’s degree. 

Striking Unite members Jo Penny and Kerry Fiona Parry said they still hoped to bring their employer to the negotiating table, but they vowed to keep the strike going.

Ms Penny said: “Health visitors in Scotland have already been graded as band seven and their government has been very helpful.

“This strike is about justice and equality for women health visitors.”

Unite officials told the Morning Star that a members’ meeting on Monday had decided to extend the strike for a further eight weeks.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an outrageous ploy from a health board that is trying to avoid paying its essential staff the money they are worth.

“This campaign will not stop at Cwm Taf health board, with this quickly becoming a national issue. 

“This rally will now show the Welsh government the strength of feeling over this issue and it needs to listen and to act now.”

The strike was raised at First Minister’s questions by Plaid Cymru’s Heldd Fychan and Luke Fletcher, who urged the government to intervene.

But Eluned Morgan said it was a local matter and should be resolved by an agreement between the union and the health board.

The health board was contacted for comment.