Nurses in north Wales could be balloted on strike action amid growing anger over controversial changes to their rotas.

It comes as a union boss has warned the move to make staff take an extra half-hour break per shift without pay could push them into financial hardship.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board announced it would move ahead with the plans last week, which it claimed will standardise rotas and protect the health and safety of its workforce.

However, it has been met with outcry from nurses and healthcare supporter workers, who could be forced to take on additional shifts to meet their contracted hours from January.

Tony Brady, Unite the Union’s regional co-ordinating officer, said some staff were left in tears amid worries it will impact their work-life balance and childcare arrangements.

He said the union was prepared to ballot members on strike action unless senior figures reconsider their decision.

“Staff are angry and are willing to take industrial action and I’ve never heard nurses say that before,” said Mr Brady.

“We’ve had the full spectrum of nurses in tears saying they can’t afford to do the extra shifts, which has now turned into anger.

“It’s the extra journeys into work, it’s the childcare costs, it’s even down to laundry.

“In this day and age our nurses shouldn’t be in a situation like that. It’s a profession we should all be proud of.

“A lot of nurses are saying they’re going to leave the profession, which is appalling.

“We don’t believe the consultation has been meaningful and we want to sit round the table again for them to talk to us and listen to our concerns.”

The union is planning to hold a protest outside a meeting of board members in Colwyn Bay.

It comes after two separate petitions against the proposals were signed by more than 7,000 people.

An assessment was also carried, highlighting nurses’ fears over how it would impact finances.

Despite this, BCUHB said it would go ahead with the changes in a bid to save more than £500,000 and reduce its reliance on agency staff.

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