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Last chance to have your say on proposed 3% pay award

RCN members in England and Wales have until 13 September to cast their vote

RCN members in England and Wales have until 13 September to cast their vote

RCN members in England and Wales have until 13 September to cast their vote on whether to accept the government's 3% pay offer
Picture: iStock

Time is running out for nurses in England and Wales to have their say on whether to accept a 3% pay rise in what could be the first step towards industrial action.

RCN urges members to ‘speak up for your patients’

RCN members have until 12 noon on Monday 13 September to cast their votes in the college’s ballot to help determine its next steps, including the possibility of further ballots on industrial action.

The RCN has been campaigning for a 12.5% pay increase for nurses across the UK since August 2020, arguing that this will help prevent an exodus of nursing staff and ensure patient safety.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen urged members to take part in the ballot. ‘This is your chance to speak up for patients,’ she said.

‘You know what the fallout from this pay award will be where you work, and I know you will not let the government ignore the voice of your patients.’

A higher rise would recognise nurses’ skills and professionalism

The RCN is calling for all nurses working on Agenda for Change contracts to receive a 12.5% pay rise for 2021-22, backdated to April 2021.

The college argues that a pay rise of this level would begin to recognise the skill and professionalism of nurses as well as encouraging more people to join the profession and help keep experienced nurses in post.

On 8 September, nurses across England and Wales united in a day of silent protest to demonstrate their growing anger over pay.

In Scotland, the RCN is in a trade dispute over an imposed 4% pay rise for 2021-22 backdated to December 2020. Unions in Northern Ireland expect to ballot their NHS members after a probable 3% offer in October.


Find out more

RCN – What next for NHS pay


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