Today we launch our Fair Pay for Nursing campaign. The campaign aims to secure a fully funded 12.5% pay increase for all nursing staff covered by Agenda for Change terms, as part of a one-year deal that applies equally to all bands.
Throughout the pandemic, the country has witnessed the most impressive demonstration of nursing, seeing it as a highly skilled profession deserving of fair pay. Without nursing and care staff, we would not be where we are today.
And yet today, we find ourselves fighting to get that fair pay. Fighting to get financial recognition for the complexity of skill, responsibility and experience demonstrated every day by nursing support workers, nursing associates, registered nurses and all members of the profession.
The COVID-19 crisis has given the government an historic opportunity to right some wrongs on how nursing is valued. For many years, our pay hasn’t reflected our worth. Now is the time to take stock. Warm words won’t pay the bills.
That’s why we’re demanding a straightforward pay rise that members really feel in their pockets. For NHS nursing staff, that’s a fully funded 12.5% pay increase for all those covered by Agenda for Change pay rates, as part of a one-year deal that applies equally to all bands.
This is just the start. We want our Fair Pay for Nursing campaign to raise the bar for nursing pay, benefiting staff both in the NHS and those working for independent employers.
Finally, I want to take a moment to address the issue of the Presidential and Council elections. Last night, at the pay Q&A online session, I was asked if this had been a distraction.
The election of the President is the most important in our trade union structure. But I want every member to know that nothing is more important than that is the issues of safe staffing and pay. And my focus remains firmly on those objectives.
So please, head to your workplace and tell your colleagues, your friends, your family – share it on social media – the RCN wants 12.5%.
I need every one of our members and supporters to get involved and join our campaign. We need to make our voices heard - It is time for nursing staff to be paid fairly.
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