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RCN members in Scotland urged to take urgent action on NHS pay ballot
From today (12 July) RCN Scotland members working in the NHS can have their say on the Scottish government pay offer for 2022-23.
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Members working in NHS Scotland on Agenda for Change contracts are receiving emails and letters to enable them to vote.
Members eligible to take part in the ballot are being asked whether the Scottish government pay offer is acceptable or unacceptable. They are also being asked whether they personally would be willing to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to the pay offer.
Under the terms of the offer the majority of NHS staff would receive a 5% increase. Staff on band 1 and point 1 on band 2 would receive 5.36% and 5.05% respectively.
The RCN is recommending members reject the Scottish government pay offer.
The RCN is calling for a pay increase of 5% above RPI inflation to recognise the safety critical aspect of nursing, to support retention and recruitment, to ensure patient safety and to compensate for the failure of salaries to keep up with the cost of living during the last 10 years.
The ballot launches as new public polling shows strong support for an increased pay award for nursing staff. 70% of those polled said the Scottish government's current pay offer for NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff is ‘less than adequate’ to recognise the value of nursing staff. In addition, 80% of the Scottish public believe there are not enough nursing staff to provide safe and effective care in Scotland’s health and care services.
Commenting on the launch of the pay ballot, Julie Lamberth, Chair of RCN Scotland Board, said:
“The pay offer is well below our expectations and what we need to reward us properly for the role we play, a role that is crucial in delivering safe and effective care. It is time for us to tell the Scottish government enough is enough. The pressures on nursing staff have long been unsustainable and patient care is put at risk due to low staffing levels.
“The public are absolutely right to be concerned about nursing shortages. 86% of RCN members in Scotland have told us that staffing levels are not sufficient to provide safe and effective care and six in 10 RCN members are considering leaving their job.
“Nursing pay has been held below inflation for years and the spiraling cost of living has only worsened the impact of longstanding low pay. With staffing levels at crisis point and nursing vacancies at a record high, there has never been a more important time to fight for the pay that nursing staff deserve.
“Fair pay is vital to protect patient safety, address staff shortages and demonstrate that the nursing workforce is valued as a safety critical profession. That is why we are recommending members reject the offer. It is now up to our members to decide what happens next. I would urge each and every RCN member eligible to take part to use their vote and tell us what you think.”
Visit our website to find out more about the pay ballot and how members who are eligible to vote can take part. The website includes frequently asked questions about what to do if members who believe they are eligible to vote have not received an email or letter, or are having problems on the voting website.
The UK government is expected to announce what pay rise NHS staff in England will be awarded for 2022/23 soon.
The decision may have an impact on what funds are available for an NHS pay rise in other UK countries and an announcement by the Welsh government is expected to follow.
The situation in Northern Ireland is complex as a government hasn’t been formed following elections in May. We continue to demand the immediate restoration of the Northern Ireland government to address the escalating nursing crisis.
We’re calling for a pay rise of 5% above inflation for NHS staff across the UK.
Members eligible to take part in the ballot are being asked whether the Scottish government pay offer is acceptable or unacceptable. They are also being asked whether they personally would be willing to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to the pay offer.
Under the terms of the offer the majority of NHS staff would receive a 5% increase. Staff on band 1 and point 1 on band 2 would receive 5.36% and 5.05% respectively.
The RCN is recommending members reject the Scottish government pay offer.
The RCN is calling for a pay increase of 5% above RPI inflation to recognise the safety critical aspect of nursing, to support retention and recruitment, to ensure patient safety and to compensate for the failure of salaries to keep up with the cost of living during the last 10 years.
The ballot launches as new public polling shows strong support for an increased pay award for nursing staff. 70% of those polled said the Scottish government's current pay offer for NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff is ‘less than adequate’ to recognise the value of nursing staff. In addition, 80% of the Scottish public believe there are not enough nursing staff to provide safe and effective care in Scotland’s health and care services.
Commenting on the launch of the pay ballot, Julie Lamberth, Chair of RCN Scotland Board, said:
“The pay offer is well below our expectations and what we need to reward us properly for the role we play, a role that is crucial in delivering safe and effective care. It is time for us to tell the Scottish government enough is enough. The pressures on nursing staff have long been unsustainable and patient care is put at risk due to low staffing levels.
“The public are absolutely right to be concerned about nursing shortages. 86% of RCN members in Scotland have told us that staffing levels are not sufficient to provide safe and effective care and six in 10 RCN members are considering leaving their job.
“Nursing pay has been held below inflation for years and the spiraling cost of living has only worsened the impact of longstanding low pay. With staffing levels at crisis point and nursing vacancies at a record high, there has never been a more important time to fight for the pay that nursing staff deserve.
“Fair pay is vital to protect patient safety, address staff shortages and demonstrate that the nursing workforce is valued as a safety critical profession. That is why we are recommending members reject the offer. It is now up to our members to decide what happens next. I would urge each and every RCN member eligible to take part to use their vote and tell us what you think.”
Visit our website to find out more about the pay ballot and how members who are eligible to vote can take part. The website includes frequently asked questions about what to do if members who believe they are eligible to vote have not received an email or letter, or are having problems on the voting website.
The UK government is expected to announce what pay rise NHS staff in England will be awarded for 2022/23 soon.
The decision may have an impact on what funds are available for an NHS pay rise in other UK countries and an announcement by the Welsh government is expected to follow.
The situation in Northern Ireland is complex as a government hasn’t been formed following elections in May. We continue to demand the immediate restoration of the Northern Ireland government to address the escalating nursing crisis.
We’re calling for a pay rise of 5% above inflation for NHS staff across the UK.
