The dispute has been simmering for some time

The move for industrial action in the North Glasgow NHS Trust follows the failure of Unison and local management to reach agreement and the union's rejection of the outcome of national negotiations.

Emergency cover will be provided during the strike.

Unison branch secretary Carolyn Leckie said: "It is regrettable that we are forced to take this action as it will inevitably cause disruption.

"But the ability of the NHS to provide a service in the future is being put in jeopardy by failure to pay medical secretaries the correct salary to reflect the importance and complexity of the work they do.

"Recruitment of medical secretaries and other NHS staff is becoming increasingly difficult."

We understand that the NHS trusts have already reached agreement with Unison on the terms of a deal for the staff group

Scottish Executive spokesman

She added: "If this problem is not solved now, there will be very few people left willing to work in the NHS".

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "We understand that the NHS trusts have already reached agreement with Unison on the terms of a deal for the staff group.

"Unison are in the process of balloting their members across Scotland on the terms of this deal.

"We believe the results are due on 23 August."

However, a Unison spokesman said the strike action was separate from the offer made by the trusts to the staff affected.

He said workers would be balloted on that offer, which Unison is recommending for acceptance.