NHS counsellors in Norfolk and Suffolk vote on whether to strike over pay
The Unison union says the counsellors are being underpaid by thousands of pounds
Last updated 6th Mar 2025
NHS mental health workers in Norfolk and Suffolk are voting to decide whether they should go on strike in a row about pay.
The Unison union claims 20 of its members who are employed by Norfolk and Waveney Mind are being paid trainee rates, despite being fully qualified, and are owed thousands of pounds.
The counsellors are currently employed by the charity to provide talking therapy services for patients with long-term or complicated mental health problems at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
The workers are paid at band 6 of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale, but Unison says the staff believe they should be on the next level up, receiving thousands of pounds more a year more.
The union says staff have spent the last year pushing to be moved to the correct hourly rates, but with no progress made, they've been left with 'no choice' but to ballot for strikes.
The ballot closes on Monday 17th March.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “These counsellors provide essential support to people going through serious mental health issues across Norfolk and Waveney.
“But Mind has been taking advantage of their commitment to patients, paying them thousands of pounds a year less than they deserve.
“After months of talks, the staff have understandably had enough and decided the only way to change Mind’s stance is to vote for industrial action.
"Mind bosses now need to come to their senses and pay the counsellors what they’re due.”
What does Norfolk and Waveney Mind say?
A spokesperson for Norfolk and Waveney Mind said: ‘At Norfolk and Waveney Mind we want to continue to work collaboratively with all parties involved in this dispute to find a productive and appropriate solution that resolves counsellors’ concerns while delivering the best possible service to the community.
‘We began to deliver the NHS Talking Therapies service on 1 September 2024. We have had the role in question evaluated by an independent external body, which advised us that the counsellors’ pay grade is correct.
"We are in ongoing talks with UNISON, ACAS and staff representatives and are committed to resolving this situation through open and honest dialogue with all parties. We look forward to continuing this conversation at our next scheduled meeting on March 14th and finding a solution that enables our service users to continue to receive the highest quality of mental health support.’