Nurses union poised to reject pay deal

The Royal College of Nursing anticipates overwhelming rejection of a 3.6% pay increase proposal.

Nurses union prepared to reject new pay deal

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is poised to announce the results of a consultative vote later this week, which are expected to show a strong rejection of a proposed 3.6% pay rise. High turnout rates suggest that the 50% threshold for initiating industrial action will be surpassed. The RCN intends to urge government ministers to negotiate during the summer to avert a formal strike vote in the fall. Additionally, the union is open to discussions regarding broader pay frameworks beyond just the proposed raise. A spokesman for the RCN emphasized that nursing staff do not feel valued and that urgent government action is essential. Alongside the RCN, the GMB union has also rejected the government’s pay offers, indicating widespread dissatisfaction among health workers.

The potential actions from nursing and health unions highlight a deepening crisis in the UK's healthcare sector. Amid increasing demands for better pay, many healthcare workers feel undervalued after enduring arduous conditions, especially during the pandemic. Unions are not only contesting the pay figures but are calling for systemic changes in compensation structures, which could signal a shift in how the government addresses healthcare worker grievances. The upcoming weeks are crucial as unions prepare for possible industrial actions, which could further strain an already stressed NHS.

Highlights

The fate of the NHS workforce hangs in the balance as unions push for change.