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Nurse unions dismayed at government's imposition of junior doctors' contract

The move by Jeremy Hunt is a disaster for industrial relations and shows a disregard for NHS staff, say unions  

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s imposition of the junior doctors' contract sets a worrying precedent, the RCN said today (Thursday, February 11).

RCN head of employment relations Josie Irwin said: ‘It reflects poorly on the government’s attitude towards industrial relations and staff morale in the NHS.’

Ms Irwin was speaking after Mr Hunt told parliament he had been left with no choice but to impose the controversial contract – just hours after the latest doctors' strike ended.

‘Like junior doctors, most nurses are already working seven days a week, and they agree that patient care on Saturday and Sunday should be the same as on a Tuesday,’ she said.

‘Nurses’ pay has fallen 14% in real terms between 2010 and 2015 and as a result many rely on their unsocial hours payments to make ends meet.

‘Our members are increasingly anxious that there will now be moves to take their unsocial hours payments away as well, and they are concerned that this will have a detrimental impact on patient care.’

Announcing his decision, Mr Hunt said: ‘The new contract will give additional pay to those working Saturday evenings from 5pm, nights from 9pm to 7am, and all day on Sunday. Plain-time hours will now be extended from 7am to 5pm on Saturdays. However, I said the government was willing to be flexible on Saturday premium pay and we have been: those working more than 1 in 4 or more Saturdays will receive a pay premium of 30%, that is higher on average than that available to nurses, midwives, paramedics and most other clinical staff. It is also a higher premium than that available to fire officers, police officers or those in many other walks of life.’

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: ‘This is a cynical move by Jeremy Hunt and is a disaster for NHS industrial relations. It’s also proof that the government regards the views of hardworking NHS staff as worthless.’

The British Medical Association said it is ‘considering all options’ as the dispute threatens to escalate further.

The union refused to accept a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offer on Wednesday, February 10.

To read Mr Hunt's announcement in full click here