SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

Union of Nurses may consider industrial action over 3% NHS pay rise

A nurses union said that it may consider industrial action over the three percent NHS pay rise offer in England and Wales.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) told the BBC it would be consulting members but staff were “angry” and deserved a bigger increase.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the pay rise was a recognition of the “extraordinary efforts” of NHS workers.

Meanwhile, school leaders have said the pay freeze for most teachers in England is a “slap in the face”.

In November the government announced a public sector pay freeze for 2021-22, with exceptions made for those on salaries under £24,000 and NHS staff.

The three percent pay rise is for most NHS staff including nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists and salaried GPs and is backdated to April 2021.

According to government calculations for the average nurse, this will mean an additional £1,000 a year, while many porters and cleaners will receive around £540.

It comes after heavily criticized proposals made by the Department for Health and Social Care in March said only a rise of 1% was affordable.

The independent NHS pay review body then recommended a 3% rise, which was accepted by the government.

    Source:
  • BBC NEWS