Nursing Fair Pay Urgency
Nurses in England are advocating for renewed pay negotiations, expressing disappointment with the recent pay agreement for top doctors.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) signals a potential increase in nursing strikes if the issue persists.
Responding to the consultants’ pay offer, RCN emphasizes dissatisfaction, particularly with the proposed 19% pay rise for some top doctors, heightening the likelihood of future nursing strikes.
While not endorsing the 5% pay rise imposed this summer, the union, representing over 100,000 nurses, maintains a formal dispute with the government over the pay deal.
In a letter to Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, RCN urges fresh talks, emphasizing the need for nurses to be treated with deserved respect. Chief Executive Pat Cullen highlights the urgent gender pay gap issue within nursing.
Cullen stresses, “The greatest pay inequality in the NHS relates to nursing. This must be addressed urgently,” emphasizing broader gender pay concerns.
The union commits to resolving the dispute through dialogue, urging the government to focus less on anti-strike laws and more on nursing pay discussions. Cullen underscores the importance for NHS stability and attracting nursing professionals.
In response, the Department of Health and Social Care appreciates NHS nurses’ hard work, citing the provided 5% pay rise and non-consolidated awards. The government, however, refuses to reopen pay negotiations, emphasizing ongoing collaboration for agreed reforms.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Standard
