Health staff across the North East of England – including nurses, paramedics, cleaners, domestics and porters – are beginning two days of campaigning today (Thursday) urging the government to give an early, significant pay rise of at least £2,000 to every worker in the NHS.
Staff in UNISON branches based in NHS hospitals, ambulance stations and clinics will be using social media and taking part in socially distanced events to press home the message that health workers deserve much more than applause for their efforts during the pandemic.
Health workers know the public backs an early NHS pay rise, but now want to see the government show its appreciation for staff by bringing forward the pay rise due in April.
UNISON’s pay claim – delivered to Downing Street last month – would see every NHS employee receive an increase of at least £2,000 by the end of the year.
This early wage increase – equivalent to around £1 an hour extra for all staff – could give ailing local economies a much-needed boost as workers spend the extra money in their pockets on the high street, says UNISON.
With the arrival of autumn, and the increasing rates of infection, UNISON believes now is the perfect time for the government to show the high regard in which ministers say they hold NHS staff.
UNISON Northern regional secretary, Clare Williams said: “Infection rates are rising in care homes and out in the wider community, and hospital admissions are on the up.
“The pressure on staff is beginning to build again, as the NHS tries to open services shut earlier in the year and deal with the backlog of cancelled appointments and operations.
“That’s why now would be the perfect time for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to show they can do more than clap for NHS staff, and demonstrate their appreciation in a much more practical way.
“Boris Johnson’s pie in the sky plans for any time, any place, anywhere ‘moonshot’ testing would cost a mindboggling £100bn. An early pay rise for NHS staff would be a tiny fraction of that and would make a huge difference to individuals and the services they help provide.
“Investing in the NHS and its incredible staff is a must for the government. It would help the health service tackle the mounting staff shortages that were already causing huge problems even before the virus hit.
“An early pay rise would also be the country’s best way of saying a heartfelt thank you to every single member of the NHS team.”
Socially distanced events taking place across the North East include:
- Videos of support from Catherine McKinnell MP, Liz Twist MP and Mary Foy MP
- Newcastle Hospitals Trust – photo shoot in Leazes Park and thank you packs being dropped onto wards
- North Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Trust newsletter to all members
- North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust – photo shoot at University Hospital of North Tees
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust – photo shoot at University Hospital of North Durham
– According to UNISON/Savanta ComRes polling published in July, a majority of the public (69%) think all NHS staff should get an early pay rise. Two thirds (66%) of the public believe a wage increase for employees should be significant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. An overwhelming majority (85%) believe pay should increase.
– UNISON estimates that a £2,000 pay rise for all NHS staff would cost around £2.8bn in England (plus additional spending in the devolved administrations).
– Agenda for Change staff in the NHS are currently covered by a three-year pay and reform deal, due to end on 31 March 2021.
– The UNISON claim is for an increase of at least £2,000 to every point on the NHS salary scale. This would take minimum earnings up from around £18,000 to £20,005 and take the lowest rate in the NHS above the real living wage. The £2,000 would be worth 8% for a newly qualified band 5 worker (for example, a nurse, paramedic or IT manager) and would take their annual salary to £26,907
-Claire works as a central sterile services department assistant at North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust and she said: “As a full time carer and working full time it would make a big difference to my family easing the financial pressure on me.”
– Ruth working as a staff nurse at County Durham & Darlington Foundation Trust said: “The nursing staff having worked tirelessly during the pandemic are the only group of public sector staff not to receive a pay rise directly linked to working directly with Covid 19 sufferers. All members of the public l have spoken to find this grossly unfair. It would mean that my part- time salary would be boosted a little.”