CQC staff have voted for industrial action over pay workforce union UNISON has revealed.

Almost three quarters (73%) of over 700 workers, including those in the health and social care teams, voted to walk out with 92% calling for action short of a strike.

UNISON national officer Matthew Egan said: “CQC staff have had to put up with their pay rising at a much lower rate than inflation for more than a decade.

“Had wages kept pace with prices, employees at CQC would be earning around a quarter more than they are currently.

“Despite doing incredibly important work, staff have endured mounting financial hardship and watched as colleagues have departed for better paid work elsewhere. It’s not hard to see why so many have voted to strike.

“Ministers must give CQC the freedom to negotiate its own pay settlements with unions and allow managers to come back with a much better offer for staff.

“CQC workers take pride in their jobs but have been taken for granted for too long. They earn significantly less than staff doing comparable jobs at organisations like NHS England, Ofsted and the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

“This is despite CQC not relying on government funding. With health and care systems under increasing pressure, it’s time the government recognised the importance of the CQC and its staff and took steps to make sure they’re paid fairly.”

UNISON said CQC staff were given a pay increase of between 2.75% and 3.5% in December as well as a one-off payment of either £100 or £150, depending on their grade.

The union said low wage increases due to the government’s public sector pay restraint had seen greater numbers leaving the sector with the CQC struggling to fill vacancies.

A CQC spokesperson said: “We have received early indication from UNISON that members have voted in favour of strike action and are awaiting further details.

“We are also aware that a small number of colleagues who are PCS members intend to join strike action planned for later this month.

“We will remain in close contact with UNISON and other unions as this develops.”