Posted 28 August 2020 - 15:00
Posted 28 August 2020 - 15:00
News
RCN begins campaign for 12.5% pay rise for nursing staff
Fair Pay for Nursing campaign to focus on Agenda for Change contracts first, but college intends to set its sights on independent employers too
Fair Pay for Nursing campaign to focus on Agenda for Change contracts first, but college intends to set its sights on independent employers too
A demand for an immediate 12.5% pay rise for NHS nursing staff is at the heart of an RCN campaign that starts today.
The initial focus of the campaign is a pay award for all staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts, as part of a one-year deal that applies equally to all bands. But the campaign will push for improved pay in the independent sector too.
This is about more than the COVID-19 response – there are thousands of nurse vacancies to fill
College chief executive Dame Donna Kinnair said: ‘The Fair Pay for Nursing campaign is about recognising the skill, experience and responsibility demonstrated every day, in every year, by nursing support workers, nursing associates, registered nurses and all members of the profession.
‘This is about more than the profession’s response to COVID-19 – it is about increasing the attractiveness of the profession, to fill tens of thousands of unfilled nursing jobs and reach safe staffing levels.’
The RCN claims there are around 50,000 nurse vacancies UK-wide. A recent survey of 41,000 college members showed that 35% are thinking of leaving the profession this year, with more than half blaming pay.
AfC staff left out of public sector pay award
The campaign follows a series of demonstrations by nurses and other NHS workers demanding government action after staff on AfC contracts were excluded from a public sector pay rise announced after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some want more than the RCN is asking for, with NHS Workers Say No to Pay Inequality among those demanding a 15% pay rise.
RCN trade union committee chair Graham Revie said: ‘RCN members have told us they expect things to change, and we will fight for that change.
‘Funding our health and care system is a political choice. Nursing is the largest heath and care workforce in the UK. It has been underfunded, understaffed, and undervalued. The government should make the right choice now.’
In other news