The predominantly female, low-paid workforce were due to receive compensation in their pay packets before Christmas to end a previous dispute. This payment was for carrying out daily clinical duties, normally associated with a higher pay band for years without appropriate pay.

Based on an individual's circumstances and length of employment, the compensation could be as high as £7,000 before tax and National Insurance deductions.

Support workers had previously voted to strike over the issue following a two-year campaign for improved wages. That led to health board executives pledging to move staff onto a higher pay band and provide recognition payments and back pay by 31 December this year.

However, the health board has now 'torn up' a local agreement that was reached 10 months ago, according to Unison. 

Unison Cymru head of health, Tanya Bull, said: ‘These low-paid staff deserve recognition for the work they've been doing for years. The health board's treatment of these predominantly women workers is morally repugnant. It's disrespectful and the decision taken by Swansea Bay will have consequences.

‘Welsh government needs to push Swansea Bay to pay what is owed right away and to urgently conclude an all-Wales agreement with Unison.'

In response, the health board, said: ‘Since May 2024, we have worked hard to reach an agreement and identify those Band 2 colleagues who should rightly be on the higher band. However, the issue has since been picked up nationally, with NHS employers negotiating with trade unions across Wales.

‘We have therefore decided to pause implementing the local agreement and are eager for the all-Wales discussions to be concluded so that we don't run any risk of disadvantaging our staff. The pause was communicated to all staff earlier this week.

‘We understand their frustration, particularly over the expected back pay, but it will be paid as soon as possible. We would be disappointed if this resulted in formal action, given that our decision was made to ensure the outcome for our staff is no different to that for all other healthcare support workers across Wales. That is why we remain committed to working with our trades union partners.'