Paying staff properly is a vital part of building the NHS for the future, says UNISON as it calls on the public to protest this evening (Thursday) about the government’s “pitiful” wage offer.
Plans to recruit more staff are not enough to protect the health system and will only have an effect if experienced staff are also encouraged to stay with a significant pay increase, the union says.
Low morale following months of exhaustion and stress coping with coronavirus demands mean many experienced staff are considering their futures, UNISON says.
But with an NHS workforce exodus unless the government begins to better value staff, there won’t be the skilled mentors for new recruits and shortages will be just as bad, according to the union.
Later today people across the UK are being asked to stand on their doorsteps and balconies to show support for NHS staff by slow handclapping the government over its proposal for a 1% pay rise.
The public action – backed by UNISON, health unions and the TUC – is the latest step in the campaign to achieve fair pay for health workers who have worked tirelessly to keep the country safe.
The mass event at 8pm this evening coincides with the first anniversary of the World Health Organisation declaring Covid-19 a global pandemic.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Secretary John Caffery said: “The government only wants to talk about recruiting new staff but its actions are forcing experienced staff out the door.
“Ministers boast of investing billions in the NHS, but the big money is going on Test and Trace, and infrastructure – not on staff. It’s the equivalent of buying a beautiful new car but refusing to pay for driving lessons.
“Many NHS workers were on the brink of leaving, but they’ve been yearning for a reason to stay in the jobs they love. The Prime Minister’s pitiful pay proposal is achieving the reverse and giving staff yet another reason to pack it in.
“The NHS will be even weaker if experienced staff leave. Recruiting new employees is all well and good, but they need to be coached and mentored before they can deliver the highest quality care.
“People across the UK should show what they think of the 1% pay proposal and give health staff their support this evening.”
Sue Hayton, Chair of the UNISON Y&H Regional Health Service Group and Branch Secretary of Sheffield Community Health Branch highlights the massive recruitment issue in the NHS: “We all know that the NHS cannot recruit nurses. A decent pay rise would secure this recruitment drive. All trusts are finding it impossible to recruit into their massive vacancies at this present time that we need to secure the future of our NHS.”
UNISON Y&H Regional Vice Chair of Health SG David Syms and Branch Secretary of Leeds and York Community Health branch said: “Millions have been given to the friends of tory ministers and donors during this pandemic to supply the NHS. Many of the contracts have not been fulfilled. Frontline non clinical staff who have been key to keeping services and hospitals running have been let down. Our porters, domestics and back office staff have worked tirelessly to support our clinical teams only to be told you’re not worth more than 1%”
Notes to editors:
– Tonight (Thursday) at 8pm, health unions are urging the public to show support for NHS staff with a slow hand clap demonstrating their displeasure at government proposals for a 1% pay rise. UNISON is calling on the government to give all NHS workers a pay rise of at least £2,000. Health workers are currently in the final year of a three-year deal. They’re due a pay rise in April.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Tony Pearson 07801578985/ t.pearson@unison.co.uk