This Christmas, thousands of NHS workers will be working around the clock, putting their lives at risk to protect the public. Yet the average nurse in the UK has lost 20% of their income the last 10 years. It’s not surprising that there are 100,000 vacancies within our NHS. And that many of us NHS workers are using food banks to get by.
NHS workers have played a pivotal role in keeping this country going during the pandemic. It’s only fair that NHS staff are properly awarded for their hard work, and that’s why we’re calling for a 15% pay rise for all NHS staff.
Earlier this year, the Government announced a pay aid rise for public service workers ‘in recognition of their efforts in tackling Covid-19’. But more than one million NHS staff including nurses, porters and cleaners were not included – this is inexcusable and has truly shown how little we are valued as a whole NHS organisation by this Government.
That’s why we’re asking the NHS Pay Review Body to urgently review the pay of ‘Agenda For Change’ staff and take into consideration the 10 years of pay caps/freezes and acknowledge their extraordinary efforts throughout the pandemic. We believe that NHS workers should have a 15% or £3000 pay increase (whichever is greater).
This pay rise is needed. It’s more important than ever as we are now overwhelmed in a second wave of Covid-19 and, with morale at an all time low amongst staff. A recent survey showed that 36% of nurses were thinking of leaving the profession.
We cannot afford to lose any more valuable staff.One of the NHS key values is prioritising quality, but quality of care will most certainly suffer as a result of staff shortages.
To sign the petition visit https://www.change.org/p/claps-don-t-pay-the-bills-give-all-nhs-workers-a-15-pay-rise-nhspay15
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