Nurses union may accept an increase of 10% in wages | nursing

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The Royal College of Nursing may be willing to accept a 10% pay rise, with the union leader calling for the government to meet it “halfway”.

Pat Cullen, the union’s general secretary, said RCN’s demand for a 19% increase – described by the government as “unsustainable” – was just a “starting point”.

It has committed to bringing any new proposal to its members for a vote, the Times reported. However, the Palestinian News Agency reported that the union may be willing to accept a wage increase of around 10%.

In an interview with The Times ‘Past Imperfect’ podcast, Cullen said: “There’s a discourse out there that says the Royal College of Nursing is unrealistic, they’re looking for something completely unattainable, they’re looking for 19%.

“Now, I could sit here all day and tell you that nurses’ wages have fallen 20% over the past decade. Do I think those nurses are entitled to? Sure, I think they deserve 19%.

But we also understand the economic climate in which we operate. And what I would like to say [health secretary] Steve Barclay and the Prime Minister go into a room and meet me halfway here and do the decent thing for these nurses.”

Thousands of nurses walked out on December 15 and 20, and the RCN said its members would strike again in England on January 18 and 19 unless negotiations were opened.

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The union also warned that the strike could continue for the next six months unless an agreement is reached.

The government has repeatedly refused to deviate from advice from the independent wage review body to seek a £1,400 increase, which is estimated at an average of 4.3% for eligible employees.

But the government said it was ready to hold talks with unions on a wage settlement for 2023-24.

It comes as Keir Starmer said the Labor government would repeal Rishi Sunak’s anti-strike legislation, drawing clear dividing lines with the Conservatives on workers’ rights ahead of the next general election.

In an important speech, the party leader indicated that the PM’s plans to end the ongoing strikes would fail.

Ministers will announce legislation to enforce “minimum service levels” in six sectors, including health services, railways, education, fire and border security.

It is also understood that they are considering introducing laws that would allow bosses to sue unions and fire employees if minimum levels are not met.

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