NHS staff vote no on government's "insulting" pay offer
94% of GMB Union members rejected the proposed 3% pay increase
The GMB Union says its members "have had enough" as 94% of them reject the proposed 3% pay rise from the Government.
A formal strike ballot will now take place, with GMB campaigning for a 15% or £2 pay rise, whichever is more. It claims that will make up for shortfalls from the last decade, which has seen members pay decrease by 15%.
"If we continue to haemorrhage members, we're going to have a crisis where patients are going to die"
Nick Day is the Lead NHS Officer for GMB Southern Region.
He said: "They've just been through a pandemic and are aware of future costs such as the National Insurance increase and pension changes which will mean more contributions.
"They've had enough. They've been through some terrible conditions, they've seen colleagues die, they've seen so many patients pass away, they've had problems with their PPE. Even simple things, they were given car parking free during the pandemic and now that's been removed as well.
"The irony is with that National Insurance rise, a large chunk of that is being funded back into the NHS. So really they're paying to get the extra resources they need.
"The Government know that our members in the NHS and ambulance service are some of the most diligent. They work well and above their duties and they know they put patients first. They always have and they always will.
"We had Government ministers out on their doorsteps clapping them every week. To be fair, they appreciate the gesture but they don't want a clap, they want actual recognition for the work they've been doing.
"If we continue to haemorrhage members, we're going to have a crisis where patients are going to die because there won't be people in place to operate and to give them the care they need".
In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “NHS staff – from doctors and nurses to paramedics and porters – are rightly receiving a 3% pay rise this year in recognition of their extraordinary efforts throughout this global pandemic.
“This follows the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, who considered a wide range of evidence from organisations across government, the NHS and trade unions in making the decision.”