An RCN poll shows public support in England for nursing staff taking industrial action over pay has risen sharply to almost half in the space of just a few weeks. In May, 42% of respondents said they were “very” or “quite” likely to support nurses taking industrial action over pay. That figure has now risen to 49% amid the prospect of yet another below-inflation NHS pay rise, which ministers have suggested could be as little as 2 to 3%.
The announcement of an NHS pay award in England is now more than three months late. Our members can’t afford to keep waiting and today (11 July) we’re renewing our demands for the pay award to be made before the House of Commons rises for summer recess on 21 July.
RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “Lack of staff is putting patient care at risk. The pressure on nursing staff is unrelenting and now soaring inflation means they’re struggling to pay the bills and going to food banks.
“Nursing staff are leaving the profession in their droves – the incredible financial hardship they face is proving the final straw. After a decade of pay cuts by the UK government, nursing staff can’t afford to wait any more.
“Nursing is a highly-skilled profession and must be recognised as such – investing in the profession must start with fair pay.
“No nurse ever wants to take industrial action but nothing is off the table for our members. Nursing staff may feel they have no other choice to protect patient safety.”
The RCN is campaigning for an NHS pay rise of 5% above inflation. You can help spread the word by having conversations with colleagues, family members, patients and friends about the way pay impacts on staffing levels at work.
No matter what the NHS pay award is, we’ll be consulting our members about what next steps they want to take.
The YouGov poll also shows that 86% of people in England support a pay rise for nursing with 62% of those favouring an increase of 5% or above.
