Home / Health / Nurses Reject 3.6% Pay Rise, Demand Urgent Negotiations
Nurses Reject 3.6% Pay Rise, Demand Urgent Negotiations
28 Jul
Summary
- Nurses' union to announce "overwhelming" rejection of 3.6% pay rise
- GMB union representing health workers also rejects government's pay deal
- Resident doctors in England begin 5-day strike after failed pay negotiations
In a significant development, the nurses' union is expected to announce an "overwhelming" rejection of the government's 3.6% pay rise offer this week. The union is now set to demand that ministers negotiate over the summer to avoid a formal ballot for strike action in the autumn.
Separately, the GMB union representing thousands of health workers, including ambulance crews, has also rejected the government's pay deal in an initial consultative vote. The union has written to the Health Secretary, calling for an urgent meeting to discuss pay and other issues.
Adding to the growing unrest in the healthcare sector, thousands of resident doctors in England, previously known as junior doctors, began a five-day strike on Friday after the government and the British Medical Association failed to reach an agreement over pay.
The Health Secretary acknowledged that while it was not possible to eliminate disruption to the NHS, the government was working to keep it to a minimum. The ongoing pay disputes and strikes highlight the growing tensions between the government and healthcare workers over fair compensation and working conditions.
