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Multi-year nurse pay proposal splits unions

A proposed three-year pay deal for nurses has divided health unions, with midwives and health visitors refusing to sign up to the agreement.

The Royal College of Midwives, Unite/CPHVA and the GMB have not recommended the deal to members.

NT understands that the unions are unwilling to sign up to the deal because they claim they were not given sufficient time to consider implications for their members.

The proposals were drawn up by the RCN, Unison and the government in secret meetings over the last few weeks and would apply to all NHS staff on Agenda for Change pay scales

RCM general secretary Dame Karlene Davis said midwives were prepared to accept the 2.75% recommended by the pay review body for 2008/2009 – but not the three year 7.9% deal negotiated by unions and the government.

Ms Davis said: 'The RCM believes that the proposed long-term settlement for the two years after the PRB recommendation represents a potential real-terms cut in the pay of staff in the NHS. We are not prepared to recommend this to our members given trends in the economy and prospects for inflation.'

Kevin Coyne, Unite/CPHVA head of health, said: 'We have had insufficient time to look at the detail.'

Sharon Holder, GMB national officer for public services added that the unions would consult with members over the proposals – but added they were unlikely to accept.

'Our members are being hammered by utility bills. Everything has been done at the last minute, we have not had time to consider what the package will mean.'    

Mike Jackson, Unison senior national officer, said other staff side organisations had been kept updated about the negotiations through telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings.

He added: 'It is not true that they weren't consulted. Other unions had agreed to informal discussions in a small group led by Unison and the RCN.'    

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Reader Response

Added: Thursday, 24 April 2008 10:56 BST
Anonymous, Cleethorpes, United Kingdom

Here we go again being let down by our so-called union! We should get one like the teachers and go on strike! They scream the loudest and get the best deals all the time. They offer sub standard care of our kids and get the most holidays.What do we have to do to get a fair deal. Our NMC subs have gone up/we have to pay to park, to actually go to work. We work extra with no pay all because we are a caring profession. No wonder nurse are looking overseas for better lives!!


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Added: Monday, 21 April 2008 21:59 BST
Anonymous, london, United Kingdom

Nurses,miss their breaks so not to leave a vulnerable patient, often gets verbal abuse from the patient or relatives but still kept her patience. Does nurses have to always keep their peace and their moans to themselves.There is no way again that NURSES have to agree to this abuse by the government's minimal pay. Its really ridiculous to be insulted over and over again with such ridiculous pay. When shall we start fighting for our rights? Nurses its time to think about ourselves too. lets come along together with one voice with all the UNIONS. if we need to walk out ....lets do so

inflation is getting bigger each day. COME AND SHOUT FOR OUR RIGHT. UNIONS LOOK AFTER THE NURSES ....


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Added: Monday, 14 April 2008 20:13 BST
Anonymous, Manchester, United Kingdom

We have always been paid less than the other services in the public sector, which when you consider our role is laughable. Nurses have long been taken for granted due to the government playing on the responsibility we have for our patients and the NHS and thus our reluctance to take industrial action. I for one have listened to my colleagues state they would be prepared to strike for some time and i have always stood my ground that i would not participate, but enough is enough. It is clear that in order for us to be taken seriously we have been left with no choice.


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Added: Friday, 11 April 2008 11:24 BST
Robert Levy, Plymouth, United Kingdom

The Government has relied on nurses commitment to duty,and reticence to strike.Thus far our weak union leaders have kow-towed to government.Is this because the government goes under the name of "labour"?,or because the cushy jobs of union bosses dependant on dampening rebellion.?Firstly this party isn't labour,it nurtures increasing inequality.Secondly,there is a growing mood of resentment amongst nurses...We have seen public professionals stay ahead of us in the pay league,,plus the outrageous and undeserved "earnings"of those who provide only a negative contribution to society (those involved in private equity, and creating financial meltdown).


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Added: Thursday, 10 April 2008 18:43 BST
Anonymous, Hounslow, United Kingdom

As usual the unions are accepting what the government wants. With inflation increasing and the mortgage crisis worsening how many nurses will lose their homes due to repossession before the government gives us a proper cost of living increase.

Community Nurses are already subsidising the government as there has been no increase in the milage allowance in years. With more patients being cared for at home it is about time the community services were treated fairly. The pay review body has still made no recommendations to increase petrol allowances and yet we prop up the Trusts with our good will.
It is time the unions stood up for us as we pay their wages through our subscription fees.


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Added: Thursday, 10 April 2008 11:47 BST
Elizabeth Kettley, High Wycombe, United Kingdom

We accepted a bad deal in 2007, and yet other public sector workers felt they had a case to argue. In today's society of an increase in the cost of living surely anyone can see that a pay deal of 8% over 3 years is going to mean we're worse off, not better off. We need to be urging our unions to fight for a better deal for us, else we should be seriously considering our commitment to deliver beyond our contractual terms. Then they might start to think about delivering us a pay award which is fair and just, rather than assuming we're idiots who can't work out that we're going to be worse off financially.


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Added: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 20:38 BST
Anonymous, Bolton, United Kingdom

We are having a bad deal again!
No doubt that in 3 years time the cost of living has soared and we are actually losing out (paycut instead of payrise). It is really time to be strong together and start working to rule/ overtimeban etc.
Why do we accept such manipulation AGAIN?


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Added: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 19:52 BST
Anonymous, London, United Kingdom

Dont be weak LETS HAVE A BALLOT FOR A STRIKE we have been led down the path for too long


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Added: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 17:32 BST
Anonymous, Jarrow, United Kingdom

i have been in nursing for 21 years and for the first time i now earn just over 1000 a month after tax and stoppages what a bunch of sheep the unions are they just rolled over again when will they do something for the people who keep the nhs going


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Added: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 16:28 BST
Anonymous, London, United Kingdom

Unite, the GMB and the RCM are right in rejecting this below inflation offer. The government measure (CPI) does not reflect our real expenses which are more accurately shown by the RPI which is around 4.1%. We have already had several years of below inflation pay rises. Unison is unfortunately now just acting as a branch of government (and the RCN always was) and against the interests of its members.


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