As pay review bodies warn against funding NHS staff and teacher pay rises from existing budgets, strike action looms. The government’s decision to not fund pay increases through borrowing sets the stage for industrial action.
The Treasury has warned that pay rises for NHS staff and teachers must be funded from existing budgets, setting up the potential for strike action. Separate independent pay review bodies for teachers and NHS staff in England are reportedly set to make higher pay rise recommendations than ministers had suggested.
The National Health Service (NHS) employs over 1.2 million staff members, making it one of the largest employers in Europe.
NHS staff include doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, and administrative workers.
They provide essential healthcare services to millions of patients across the UK.
According to a survey by the NHS Confederation, 90% of NHS staff report feeling proud to work for the NHS.
The NHS relies heavily on its staff to deliver high-quality patient care, with an average of 120 million patients treated annually.
The Consequences of Unfunded Pay Rises
“pay erosion” was how the British Medical Association described the government’s initial budget in December, while “barely above the cost of living” was how Unison put it. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned it will not accept pay awards taking resources from the frontline, while teaching unions have threatened strike action if schools do not get extra funding to pay for the salary increase for teachers.
A Precursor to Strike Action
Sources say that the Treasury has said it will categorically not fund the pay rises by borrowing, meaning that additional pay increases must come from cuts to other budgets. This decision is likely to lead to strike action, with both Unison and the RCN consulting members about possible ballots for industrial action.
A strike is a work stoppage called by employees in protest of unfair labor practices, poor working conditions, or disputes over wages and benefits.
It involves the refusal to perform job duties, often with the goal of forcing management to negotiate or address grievances.
Strikes can be peaceful or violent, and may involve picketing, boycotts, or other forms of protest.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 20,000 strikes in the United States between 2015 and 2020, resulting in over $1 billion in lost productivity.
A Call for Constructive Engagement
“if you work with the NHS staff, you get better results than the last government” was how Keir Starmer put it. The Labour leader said that he hopes the government can work with NHS staff to find a solution, adding that they should aim to avoid strike action.
The Government’s Response
A Treasury spokesperson said that they are considering recommendations from the independent pay review bodies and will respond in due course. The government has accepted the independent pay review bodies’ recommendations in full in the past, providing the first meaningful real terms pay rises for years.
- theguardian.com | No extra money for NHS staff and teacher pay rises, warns Treasury
