NHS Pay Deal Agreed for Majority of Staff After Strikes Shake the System
Big Unions Back New Pay Rise
The government and 14 NHS unions, excluding doctors and dentists, have sealed a new pay deal following recent strikes by nurses, physios, and ambulance crews. While some unions slammed the offer, major players including Unison, GMB, and unions for physios and midwives backed it. As a result, all NHS staff covered will see a pay boost.
Union Leader Calls for Fair Pay and Better Talks
Sara Gorton, head of the joint NHS union group, said, “NHS workers will now want the pay rise they’ve voted to accept. The hope is that the one-off payment and salary increase will hit June’s pay packets.” But she added it’s a shame that strikes were needed at all, blaming the government for not holding proper pay talks sooner.
Health Secretary Urges Strike Threats to End
Health Secretary Steve Barclay welcomed the new deal and called on unions still threatening strikes to think again. He stressed the agreement is a fair outcome with the support of most NHS staff and said talks on workforce changes will continue.
RCN Rejects Deal and Prepares New Strike Ballot
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) remains defiant, rejecting the offer and vowing to press ahead with strike action. The RCN plans a national ballot of members soon, with results expected in June — a tougher hurdle than before when they held regional votes.
Junior Doctors Still Out of Deal
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Barclay is meeting the British Medical Association this Tuesday. Junior doctors operate on separate contracts and are excluded from the current pay agreement. Talks aim to find a breakthrough in their ongoing pay dispute.
