Commenting on suggestions that the NHS pay review body may be reconvened in response to strikes by health workers over their wages, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said today (Thursday):
“There’s no need to start another long-winded evidence round. A wage boost is needed now, not months down the line.
“The last two of the pay review body’s recommendations sat on ministerial desks for months.
“Health workers won’t have any confidence in a repeat of the process that’s failed to deliver for them, the NHS or patients so far. Ministers are hiding behind the pay review body to wriggle out of any responsibility for the mess they’ve created.
“The only solution to the current unrest is for proper and genuine pay talks between the government and unions. Only then can the worsening crisis in the NHS be tackled. And that must start with a wage boost sufficient to convince experienced staff to stay.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
The article Only direct talks will end NHS dispute, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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