Here you can find answers to a selection of FAQs about the statutory ballot on industrial action for health visitor team leaders working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The postal ballot opens on Tuesday 5 May - voting papers will be sent out by Civica, the independent third party organisation conducting the ballot on the RCN's behalf. Completed voting papers must be received by Civica no later than 5pm on Monday 18 May for the vote to be counted in the ballot.

In the statutory ballot you are being asked:

• Whether or not you are willing to take industrial action up to but not including strike action
• Whether or not you are willing to take industrial action up to and including strike action.

A statutory ballot is a legal requirement before industrial action can take place.

Industrial action is a powerful tool as you and your labour are NHS Scotland’s most valuable asset.

Action short of strike – there is no definition of action short of a strike but generally, it means working strictly to the terms of your contract of employment often referred to as ‘working to rule’. This can include taking all your contractual breaks and/or starting/finishing your shifts strictly on time and or/refusing to undertake paid or unpaid overtime. By working to rule, you are withdrawing the goodwill that your employer often relies on to carry out its business effectively. Therefore, action short of strike action can result in a disruption to an employer’s business if carried out by most of the workforce. This may place pressure on an employer or government to reconsider its position in any industrial or trade dispute.

Strike action – involves a complete withdrawal of labour from the workplace. This could be for half a day, a day or longer depending on the dispute. Strike action will almost certainly result in a disruption to an employer’s business and place greater pressure on an employer or government to reconsider its position in any dispute.

Patient safety - the RCN is committed to ensuring any industrial action has at its core the preservation of patient safety.  Any RCN industrial action will follow the life-preserving care model.  For more information check the 'Participating in industrial action' section of the RCN Industrial Action Handbook.

Voting papers are being sent out on Tuesday 5 May.

Please allow up to three days for your letter to arrive.

If you do not receive your voting papers by Friday 8 May, please email us at Scotland.office@rcn.org.uk. Please include your membership number and confirm your home postal address in the email.

We will arrange voting papers to be resent to you on Monday 11 May.