THOUSANDS of radiotherapy workers will take a stand over pay for the first time in 30 years over an escalating bitter row with the government.

The Society of Radiographers, which represents diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy workers throughout Britain, revealed yesterday that 17,000 of its members will ballot over strike action in the coming weeks.

Although a rare ballot for the union, the society said it was “inevitable” after the stingy coalition’s controversial decision not to accept a recommended 1 per cent pay rise for all NHS staff. 

“This decision means our members working in the NHS will be expected to endure another pay freeze, the fourth in the last five years,” said the society’s industrial relations manager Paul Moloney.

“It is simply unacceptable for this government to expect loyal, hardworking, skilled professionals to see their pay frozen again when all the signs are of an improving and growing economy.

“Radiographers reluctantly accepted pay freezes and stood by the pay review process during the austerity measures. They demand that the government stands by the pay process now that we have a growing economy.”