The RCN could be willing to accept a 10% pay rise, Chief Executive Pat Cullen has said, as she urged the Government to begin negotiations.
In an interview with The Times, Ms Cullen said: ‘There is a rhetoric out there that says the Royal College of Nursing is unrealistic, it’s looking for something that’s totally unachievable, it’s looking for 19%.
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'Now, I could sit here all day and tell you nurses’ pay has dropped by 20% over the last decade. Do I believe those nurses are entitled? Absolutely, I believe they’re entitled to 19%. But we also understand the economic climate that we’re working in. And what I would say to [health secretary] Steve Barclay and to the prime minister is get into a room and meet me halfway here and do the decent thing for these nurses.’
Ms Cullen has also committed to putting any pay offer to a vote by RCN members.
The union has also harshly criticised proposals t bring in new anti-strike legislation requiring a basic level service when industrial action takes place, with the Government thought to be introducing a bill into Parliament in the coming weeks. According to the RCN, this new law would allow an employer to bring an injunction to prevent strike action or seek damages afterwards if they do not comply.
‘Curtailing workers’ freedom to participate in lawful industrial action is always undemocratic and we will look closely at what the government releases next week,’ said Ms Cullen.
‘As for minimum staffing, last month’s action was safe for patients because of detailed discussions we chose to initiate with the NHS to protect emergency services3 and life-saving care. The public respected that and even ministers acknowledged our constructive approach.’