RCN's Josie Irwin: A ‘male’ style of negotiation would not have delivered a better pay deal

The all-female team representing the healthcare unions used persuasion and compromise to achieve an austerity-breaking pay offer. Critics on social media who demand an aggressive approach to win more concessions from the government are being unrealistic, says the RCN’s lead negotiator Josie Irwin

Gender pay gaps are in the headlines and unions representing the largest predominantly female workforce in the UK are about to consult their members on the first deal to break the government’s austerity cap. It seems timely to look at the role played by women in the NHS pay deal.

Women in negotiating situations are often thought to be more reluctant to bargain and hassle. It is suggested that women tend to be more persuasive than men, and research shows that women have an inclusive, team-building leadership style in problem-solving