London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

Pat Cullen: Nursing union calls for double-digit pay rise to restart talks

Pat Cullen: Nursing union calls for double-digit pay rise to restart talks

The leader of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called on the health secretary to restart pay negotiations with a proposed rise in double digits.

Most health unions accepted an offer of a 5% rise for 2023-24 and a one-off backdated payment for last year, following a 4% rise for 2022-23.

The RCN has rejected the deal.

A source from the Department of Health said the pay offer was final, with Energy Secretary Grant Shapps calling the deal on the table "very generous".

Speaking to the Times, union boss Pat Cullen praised her "courageous" members and urged ministers to reopen talks, starting with an offer of a double-digit pay rise over the two-year period.

The RCN had last year called for a rise of 5% above the RPI inflation rate, which peaked above 14% in October, but no UK nation has offered close to that.

It later called for RCN union members to accept the government deal, but they voted against it by 54% to 46%.

The nursing union will now ballot for further strike action later this month.

In her interview, Ms Cullen said: "Looking back on this pay offer, I may personally have underestimated the members and their sheer determination."

She called on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to reopen negotiations which she said needed to "start off in double figures".

Ministers owe it to nurses "not to push them to have to do another six months of industrial action right up to Christmas", she added.

An RCN spokesperson added: "The negotiations covered two financial years which resulted in a consolidated NHS pay increase of 9%. When our members rejected that, it is clear they expect an offer into double figures."

Nurses in England went on strike for 24 hours on 1 May - it was the first time RCN members walked out of all areas, including intensive care.

They also took industrial action on two other occasions earlier this year, on 6 and 7 February and on 18 and 19 January.

Mr Shapps told Sky News that it was "curious" for Ms Cullen to be asking for a double-digit rise when members had previously been encouraged to accept the smaller offer.

He said he thought it was a "great settlement", adding: "I thought it's terrific that it had been reached.

"It's frankly rather confusing now that having encouraged her members to accept that deal, she seems to now be coming back and saying the opposite."

Asked if it was an "absolutely no" to a double-digit pay rise, he replied: "You've got to balance that with the rest of the public purse and there's a very generous offer now on table... and I think it would be a great way to get this settled."

Speaking ahead of the annual RCN congress in Brighton, Ms Cullen said she was "proud" of RCN members.

She praised their "selflessness" for rejecting the government's pay offer and losing pay on strike days to "stand up for the NHS".

"Nurses believe it's their duty and their responsibility because this government is not listening to them on how to bring it back from the brink and the message to the prime minister is that they are absolutely not going to blink first in these negotiations," she added.


Eleven health unions backed a deal on 2 May, meaning more than a million NHS staff would receive a 5% pay rise.

The deal, which includes nurses in England, also entails a one-off payment of at least £1,655. It means all staff will now receive extra pay.

Some unions rejected the offer, including the RCN and Unite, but it was accepted after a majority was reached. Both unions warned they would continue to pursue strike action.

Asked in the paper why nurses warrant a larger increase than other healthcare workers, she said: "It's not so long ago since the prime minister went on the media and very publicly said nurses are an exception."

"I would totally agree with him... they should be made an exception because they are exceptional people."

A government source said the health secretary's door was open for discussions about how to make the NHS a better place to work and it was getting the money into staff pay packets as soon as possible.

"It is time to move on from industrial actions and work together to deliver for patients," added the health department source.

Nurses in Wales are set to strike this summer after rejecting the Welsh government's latest pay offer.

And in Scotland, union members have accepted an offer worth an average 6.5% for 2023-24.

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Estates Earning Millions from Public Services and Charities
Siemens Acquires Altair Engineering in $10.6 Billion Deal
The man who got hit by a bus and immediately went back to the pub is strong! Beer is very important.
Donald Trump files $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing them of 'deceptively doctoring' Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' interview
Formal Address for Meghan Markle at Invictus Games
Understanding the US Electoral College System
Apple Launches AI Features on Select iPhones
JP Morgan Sued Customers Over Viral Cheque Fraud Scheme
King Charles to Continue Global Tours Despite Cancer Diagnosis
Venice Extends Tourist Entry Fee Program to 2025
Tommy Robinson Charged Under Terrorism Act for Phone Offence
Plans to Increase Employers' National Insurance Announced
Washington Post Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan has RESIGNED after owner Jeff Bezos BARRED the endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Massive Theft of Artisan Cheddar from Neal’s Yard Dairy
US Man Charged with Murder of Co-Worker over Breaks
Carbon Monoxide Incident Claims Lives at UK Care Home
Birmingham Airport Evacuated Due to Suspicious Vehicle
Former US President Barack Obama raps the lyrics to Eminem's ‘Lose Yourself’ after the rapper introduces him at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit
KYIV URGES NORTH KOREAN TROOPS IN UKRAINE TO SURRENDER
Ofcom Identifies Link Between Social Media Posts and UK Unrest
Russian Boxer Receives Lifetime Ban for Illegal Move in Boxing Debut
Biden Labels Trump a Threat to Democracy
McDonald's Linked to E. coli Outbreak Leading to One Death
Teacher Enoch Burke arrested at Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland after refusing to endorse and affirm transgender ideology.
FBI Investigates Leak of US Intelligence on Israeli Strike Plans
Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah's Financial Resources
China’s Baidu is revolutionizing transportation with its robotaxi service
Angela Rayner Secures Permanent Seat on UK National Security Council
Russian Ambassador Claims UK's Proxy War in Ukraine
Doctor Advocates for Assisted Dying Law Reform
Ruth Davis Appointed as UK’s First Nature Envoy
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Discuss Reparations at Commonwealth Summit
James Cleverly’s Costly In-Flight Catering for Government Trips
AI Regulation Takes Center Stage in 2024 US Presidential Campaign
NASA Study Explores Potential Microbial Life Beneath Mars' Ice
Cats: The Liquid-Like Pets
Netanyahu Condemns Alleged Hezbollah Assassination Attempt
Liam Payne's Tragic Death: Tributes Pour In
Cuba's Power Struggles: Nationwide Blackout Strikes Again
Xi Jinping Urges Troops to Prepare for Conflict Amid Taiwan Drills
Farage Supported by US PR Team Linked to Steve Bannon
Controversy Over MP's Comments on Female Candidate's Family Responsibilities
Highlights from the Conservative Leadership Contest TV Debate
Childminder Jailed for Inciting Racial Hatred After Southport Attack
NHS England's Repair Bill Soars to Almost £14 Billion
Russia Accused of Using Incendiary Devices to Disrupt Western Confidence
Culture Wars: 'A Dog Whistle to Attack the Right', Says Badenoch
Virtual Reality and Advanced Technologies in Combating Cocaine Addiction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Assembles Taskforce to Safeguard Financial Stability Amid Increased Borrowing Plans
RAF Typhoon Intercepts Air India Flight After Bomb Threat
×