The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has rejected the government’s salary offer for NHS workers following a vote by its members and will hold a two-day strike from the end of the month. A majority of 54 percent of members voted against the deal, while 61 percent of eligible members voted.
The offer, which includes a lump sum payment for the 2022-2023 financial year plus a 5% pay increase in 2023-2024, was made to nurses and other NHS staff, including paramedics, 999,911 workers, midwives, nursing assistants, security guards. security guards and cleaners. This does not apply to paramedics who are involved in a separate legal dispute.
The deal was sent to RCN, GMB, Unison, the Chartered Physiotherapy Society and the British Dietetic Association who recommended that their members accept the deal. However, Unite said the supply was not enough.
Nurses are now on the verge of another strike and are fighting for a better deal closer to inflation.
Nurses on strike again?
Nurses in England will go on strike again from 8pm April 30 to 8pm May 2, RCN reported.
Although the RCN advised the guardians to accept the offer, there was strong opposition from the members themselves.
Many are unhappy with the prospect of a 5 percent wage increase if inflation stays above 10 percent.
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer James Murray said the government should be “ready to negotiate” as a result of the rejection of the deal.
“Let’s see what happens and what are the results of this vote. But what we have said during the debate on nurses’ wages, as well as in relation to all other sectors of the economy where there have been strikes or a threat, is that the government must be ready to negotiate, ”the Labor Party said. Page. This was stated by the deputy to Sky News.
“We need to find a compromise. There must be an agreement, but reaching an agreement and preventing strikes is in both the public interest and the interests of the workers involved.”
Up to 100,000 nurses have quit in previous action rounds, causing major disruptions to NHS services, including tens of thousands of canceled surgeries.
NHS payment offer explained
Under the agreement, NHS staff covered by the Agenda for Change scheme will receive a lump sum payment of 2% of their salary for 2022-23.
They will also receive what is known as the “NHS Backlog Bonus” which “recognizes the ongoing pressure the NHS has faced since the pandemic and the extraordinary efforts made by staff to meet backlog recovery goals.”
The bonus is a minimum of £1250 per person but is set based on experience and salary scale. For example, an average grade 5 nurse is paid £1,350.
In fiscal year 2023/24, NHS staff will be offered a 5 percent pay increase.
Health Minister Steve Barclay said the deal means a new qualified nurse will receive more than £1,800 this year, plus a salary increase of more than £1,300 next year.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.