UNION chiefs in East Lancashire today blasted the Government for refusing to pay health workers a "decent rate" for working over the Millennium weekend.

Unison, the biggest health union, had demanded an extra £500 in the pay packets of all health staff, irrespective of grade.

But local NHS trusts have been told that if they want to pay staff anything extra it will have to come out of local budgets.

A spokesman for Unison, covering Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley and South Ribble branches, said it meant local hospitals had all made the same "take it or leave it" offer to health staff in Lancashire.

He said porters working the night shift on Millennium Eve would only receive an extra £48 in their pay packets, with only slightly more for a nursing auxiliary.

But a senior nurse manager, if required to work , would receive an additional £147, claimed the union.

The Unison spokesman said: "Unison members are furious that they are being told by the Government to accept the Millennium working as part of their duty of care and basically should think themselves lucky for being offered anything extra at all.

"Many health workers have always worked over the festive season without complaint.

"But this year extra staff are required, not only nursing staff, but ancillary staff and admin workers, who would not normally be asked to work New Year's Eve.

"Few health workers would object if the reason for the increased staffing was needed to cover genuine medical emergencies, but many of the casualties will be revellers who have met with misfortune after over-indulging in the festivities."

He said Unison members believed it was the Government's responsibility to provide money for local hospital trusts to reward their staff adequately.

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