Union calls on Hywel Daniel to resign and for Plaid Cymru government to end dispute

Thousands of people across Wales have called for the resignation of Cwm Taf health Board director Hywel Daniel after the Unite union revealed that he has received a £30,000 pay increase during the dispute, involving underpaid health visitors.

The failing HR director already earned over £200,000 and received a whopping increase despite refusing hundreds of health visitors the grading they rightfully deserve, which is costing female workers around £9,000 per year.

On Tuesday, health visitors will march to the Senedd in Cardiff and hand in a petition signed by thousands of members of the public calling on Mr Daniel to resign given his catastrophic mismanagement of the dispute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a shocking example of rewards for failure.

“Hywel Daniel’s actions are at the very heart of this dispute and yet the health board think it is acceptable to give him a whopping pay rise. He is guilty of underpaying hardworking and dedicated health visitors. Rather than be rewarded he should be removed.”

The petition will be handed to the Plaid Cymru health minister Mabon ap Gwynfor with the demand that Plaid fulfil its election promise to resolve the dispute. Plaid has been in government since May and yet health visitors are being forced to take further strike action to get the pay they are rightfully owed.

In addition to previous strike dates which has seen health visitors take strike action since 23 February 2026, members of Unite have now voted overwhelmingly to continuing this strike action which could now be extended to a further 12 months.

Health visitors who do vital community outreach work for new mothers and families, are furious that they are only being paid as band six workers. This is despite internal job grading now matching them as a band seven acknowledging a masters qualification. The CTM University Health Board has refused to acknowledge its own job descriptions and pay health visitors accordingly.

Unite regional officer Paul Seppman said: “Plaid Cymru talked the talk in the run up to the election, now is the time for it to commit to resolving this dispute. If Plaid cannot deliver on this simple promise, you would have to question thier credibility on delivering for the wider NHS going forward.

“If this is not resolved shortly, then either Plaid has lied, or it is showing itself as a weak government in its first days of administration.”