The union Unison says staff in Bucks Beds and Herts will leave the NHS if pay doesn't improve
They are calling on the government to help low-paid workers in the NHS,
NHS workers who are part of the Union Unison are calling on the next government to prioritise staff pay.
Its as the union announced urgent action is needed.
The context
We spoke to the Eastern rep for Unison, Caroline Hennessy, she explained that typically, NHS workers receive a pay uplift every year in April, but this hasn't happened this year.
As a result, staff members earning in the Band 2 scale are earning 1 pence above the minimum wage.
Caroline then pointed out how their pay actually becomes less because of "salary sacrifices".
These are costs, taken out of the employee's payroll and include things like parking at the hospital and childcare vouchers.
"It's taken the low-paid workers under the national minimum wage and that is a very, very serious situation to be in."
Going on to say that the NHS could have a visit from HMRC, and staff are struggling financially because of this.
The consequences of low pay
"We shouldn't have staff working in the NHS that are basically on the national minimum wage."
Caroline pointed out how staff have become tired of the situation and many are leaving the profession because of pay issues, some going abroad, and others even working in supermarkets because, according to Caroline, the pay is better and it's a less stressful environment.
"This government has done absolutely nothing to retain the existing, skilled and very hard-working NHS staff that we already have...
"Pay is fundamental to retention. They go hand in hand and if the new government on Friday doesn't address this problem, staff are just going to leave."
Regardless of which political party forms the government on Friday, Caroline wants to see them address this problem quickly.