Nurses Reject Pay Offer, Threaten Strike Action

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has informed its members that they may vote on strike actions if the government does not secure funding for the nursing field during the summer months.

Following the rejection of a 3.6% wage rise for the 2025/26 period by union members in England, this development occurs.

Professor Nicola Ranger, who serves as both general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, stated that nurses experience a sense of being "severely underappreciated."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated that the Government "greatly" appreciates the efforts of nurses, although they emphasized that the field has received "two pay increases exceeding inflation."

The Royal College of Nursing stands for hundreds of thousands of nursing professionals within the English National Health Service.

As per the union, 91% of members cast their vote against the wage increase during an election where 56% participated, involving over 170,000 employees.

It highlighted that the field is experiencing extensive job openings, limited opportunities for advancement, and prolonged salary declines, and called on officials to finalize an funding strategy during the summer or risk moving forward with a formal conflict and voting on strike actions.

Professor Ranger stated, "My field is profoundly underappreciated, which is why an increasing number of people are urging the government to take notice, recognize the urgency, and act appropriately for both professionals and patients."

Unprecedented levels have expressed this judgment on a flawed system that restricts nursing salaries and career advancement, hindering the NHS.

As a field where safety is paramount, retaining skilled nursing professionals is essentially a matter of safety and crucial to the Government's broader goals for the NHS.

Reforms long overdue for advancement opportunities within nursing careers and the NHS salary system go beyond issues of fairness and equality; they are essential for ensuring patient safety.

The Royal College of Nursing reported that nurses in Wales and Northern Ireland were involved in discussions about the identical pay increase and subsequently chose not to accept it.

Professor Ranger stated, "We provide the bulk of the care across all services and should be recognized for our expertise, understanding, and years of experience."

To prevent official escalation, the government needs to keep its promise and engage in discussions about updating the old salary system that keeps nurses in the same grade throughout their careers.

A representative from the DHSC stated: "Following two pay increases that exceeded inflation provided by this government, newly hired full-time nurses will now have a base salary of £30,000 for the first time this year, making it surprising that members of the RCN are unhappy with this year's raise."

We place great importance on the efforts of nurses, and with our 10-Year Health Plan, we are revitalizing the NHS to improve outcomes for both patients and healthcare workers, while making nursing an appealing profession.

The government has made it clear that we cannot advance further on the main salary issue, but we will collaborate with the RCN to address their key concerns, such as reforms to the pay system, issues related to career development, and broader workplace conditions.

In 2022 and 2023, nurses took part in historic strikes related to compensation.

In June 2023, the possibility of additional strikes was halted when a vote for continued work stoppages did not reach the required legal minimum of 50%.

An executive director from the RCN stated that nurse wages must be increased for those starting out, along with more defined paths for professional growth, to prevent a "crisis."

Patricia Marquis stated during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's World At One show: "The wages for nurses have continued to drop more and more compared to inflation due to many years of salary increases that were lower than the rate of inflation."

We might debate the extent of inflation in recent years, but their wages have clearly lost value compared to what they used to be.

But the problem goes beyond that. The issue we observe won't be resolved within a single year through a straightforward salary increase.

We must witness an increase in nurse wages at the lower end and acknowledgment of professional growth opportunities for nurses throughout their entire range of experiences—this isn’t solely focused on the amount of a salary boost, but rather on the ongoing challenges within the nursing field and the necessary actions the government should address to make nursing an appealing career choice, ensuring sufficient numbers of nurses to meet patient and community healthcare demands.

In response to a query about the possibility of strike actions, Ms. Marquis stated, "If we must take that step, we will."

A survey released early this week revealed that British people have mixed opinions about nurses going on strike for better wages.

A YouGov poll revealed that 19% of 4,300 British adults "strongly agree" with nurses walking out, whereas 28% "partially" endorse their actions.

In the meantime, 23% expressed they "strongly disagree" with striking, whereas one out of five (20%) "moderately disagree" with it.

A warning from the RCN about an upcoming vote on industrial action comes after a five-day strike by trainee doctors in England, as medical staff resumed their duties at 7 am on Wednesday.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has recently sent a letter to the British Medical Association, expressing his willingness to hold discussions with the union's trainee doctors' committee to restart negotiations.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that trainee physicians have wasted the "significant public support" they previously enjoyed with the government following the strike.

On Thursday, a member of the cabinet called on healthcare workers to collaborate with the government to "achieve the NHS that both sides desire."

In an interview with journalists in Swindon, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated: "We understand that the NHS workforce faced a challenging 15-year period. We recognize their feelings."

But we request their collaboration in providing the NHS they desire and what we also wish to see. We must be partners together.