RCN joins health unions’ plea to Boris Johnson for ‘significant’ pay rise
Call to end ‘needless delays’ for demoralised and traumatised nursing staff
Health unions have urged prime minister Boris Johnson to speed up the process of determining a pay rise for nurses and other NHS staff at risk of burnout from the COVID-19 crisis.
A letter to the prime minister signed by RCN general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair and the heads of Unison and the Royal College of Midwives says staff are demoralised and traumatised, with hospitals stretched to the limit.
Poll shows public back early pay rise for NHS staff
They demand ‘a fully funded, early and significant wage increase now, without any needless further delay’.
The government delayed a decision on a pay rise for nurses and other NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts until at least May, even though the current three-year pay deal expires in March.
The call coincides with a survey commissioned by a coalition of 14 health unions representing staff ranging from nurses to porters, which suggests public support for a pay rise for NHS staff.
Of the 2,302 people across the UK who responded to survey, conducted from 8-10 January, 86% (1,981) back some level of pay rise and 40% (911) support a significant increase. More than half (53%) said the government should bring forward a wage increase for all NHS staff.
The RCN’s Fair Pay for Nursing campaign is calling for a 12.5% pay increase, and Professor Kinnair said NHS staff are worse off now than they were a decade ago.
‘A meaningful rise will bring in new nursing staff and keep experienced ones in post,’ she added.
RCN making separate presentation to NHS Pay Review Body
The 14 unions, which collectively represent 1.3 million NHS employees, also highlighted their joint response to the NHS Pay Review Body (RB), which advises the government on pay for Agenda for Change staff.
In their submission to the RB, which is yet to be published, the unions argue that a wage rise is vital if the health service is to deal with the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath.
As well as contributing to this joint submission, the RCN will make a separate presentation to the RB relating specifically to nursing.
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