Help us say ‘no’ to regional pay

As some of you will know, there are very worrying changes being proposed about how NHS pay is set. You may be aware that the RCN is concerned about plans for a large number of NHS Trusts in the South West of England to form a regional pay, terms and conditions 'cartel'.  Trusts in the cartel want to reduce annual leave, increase working hours, and reduce pay and other terms and conditions across the region. What is worse, nursing staff who refuse to accept the changes face the possibility of dismissal.

We at the RCN believe that this is utterly unacceptable. If these Trusts succeed, others across the entire country could also move to a system of regional pay.
That's why we need your help.

The RCN has already submitted a response to the NHS Pay Review Body about the Government’s proposal to introduce local pay across the UK. This would destroy the positive steps taken through Agenda for Change, and lead to inequalities across the country.

These Trusts are ignoring nationally agreed-upon terms and conditions and making the first serious move towards regional pay. This means that RCN members doing the same job would get paid differently, just because of where they work.

The RCN is fighting hard in the South West and on a national level to prevent this worrying move to regional pay. However, we need to make sure that all MPs are aware of this development.

MPs may be on their summer break, but we think this issue is far too important to wait until they return in September.

Please write and ask your MP to stand up for nurses against regional pay.