NHS staff reject pension reforms A ballot of more than 300,000 NHS workers on the Government's controversial pensions reforms has shown that just over half the workers voted against them. However, the turnout was low, with less than 15 per cent voting. The union Unison said the low numbers of staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who took part in the ballot reflected the low morale and current 'difficult state' of the health service. Of the 14.8 per cent of workers balloted, 50.4 per cent were against and 49.5 per cent in favour of the pension reforms. Christina McAnea, Unison's Head of Health, said: "The low turnout coupled with the close vote shows there is no mandate to endorse the pensions proposals, but equally no mandate to take further industrial action. The turnout is disappointing but in some ways is not unexpected. Our members in health, including nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists, porters, medical secretaries and healthcare assistants, are in the second year of a pay freeze, many face job cuts and increasing pressure at work as well as attacks on their terms and conditions. In addition, the Health and Social Care Act is set to cause major disruption across the service. The turnout reflects the low morale and current difficult state of the NHS.