Case study 4: Balloting for industrial action

A trade union representing NHS workers had been campaigning about their members’ pay for some years alongside engaging with the structures that determine NHS pay. Their aim was to secure a pay rise for NHS staff, and for other improvements to NHS staff conditions.

In late 2022, when the proposed pay settlement was not deemed satisfactory to the union, the union declared a series of trade disputes and decided to hold ballots for industrial action about pay.

The union sought to increase turnout amongst union members using the slogan “Vote yes for the NHS”, both in member communications and more widely in union social media and campaign communications.

A number of the ballots for industrial action reached the appropriate threshold and union members working for the NHS in England took strike action. Throughout the period of industrial action, the union communicated with the wider public to explain the reasons for the strike, in media appearances, on its website and on social media, including criticising the government.

On strike days, union members stood on picket lines outside their workplaces and asked passers-by for support. The union asked members of the public to write to their MPs asking ministers to negotiate directly with the union on NHS pay.

For the purposes of this case study, we are supposing that a UK Parliamentary general election was called some months later. Because the regulated period extends back 365 days before polling day, this means that the ballot and the associated campaigns would have taken place in the retrospective regulated period.

Last updated: 24 November 2023