Unions stand together to demand NHS fair pay becomes a reality

Negotiations with governments over structural pay reform in the NHS are ongoing. As part of these talks NHS health unions have told the Westminster, Wales and Northern Ireland governments that a 3.3% pay increase is not enough to keep pace with the cost of living; and it must fund reforms to Agenda for Change (AfC) if it wants to make fair pay a reality.

The demands were repeated when the RCN, alongside 13 other NHS health unions, delivered a letter to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care James Murray MP.

Unions first wrote to then-health secretary Wes Streeting MP in March, calling for negotiations to improve both the 3.3% pay award and the AfC pay structure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The talks, that were long promised, have begun and we’re demanding the health secretary ensures there is clear and significant investment in staff pay to prevent further delays.

We believe fair pay for NHS staff is the first step to safe and effective care in every setting, and a health service fit for the future. However, talks without sufficient funding won't deliver the change that is so urgently required to address years of eroded wages – driving demoralised staff, who are struggling to pay bills, to seek work elsewhere.

In the joint letter, signed by 78,000 NHS staff, unions said: “3.3% is not enough and doesn’t address the longstanding unfairness of staff on AfC contracts getting less than other groups.

“NHS staff feel angry and let down. Day in, day out, it's a struggle to deal with understaffing, overwork and the constant feeling that – hard as staff try – patients are not getting the standard of care they should.

“Your 10-year plan aspires to make the NHS 'the country's best employer'. NHS staff now call on you to take the first step: recognise the problems with NHS pay and provide sufficient funding.”

The letter also scrutinises the Westminster government’s decision to use a Pay Review Body recommendation, as opposed to collective bargaining, and has resulted in another real-terms pay cut for nursing staff.

It’s vital that you have a say on any decisions that impact your pay, and the outcome of these negotiations will be put to members to vote on in the coming months.

Make sure to update your details so we can keep you informed as these negotiations progress.