Unions ask for pay rise for NHS workers in Wales
Nine Trade Unions have united to request change
Nine Trade Unions have backed an open letter to the Welsh Government calling for fair pay for NHS workers in the country.
The letter, written by Trade Union Chair Paul Summers and Secretary Richard Munn, said there was no greater time to increase pay for NHS workers.
It read that, during a year which Covid-19 has vastly impacted society, "the NHS and its staff have been both vital and central to supporting the people of Wales."
"NHS staff have exhausted themselves physically and mentally in their efforts to tackle the virus and support patients in a system that was already underfunded and struggling.
"It is therefore our belief that there has never been a time when the need for an urgent and significant pay rise for NHS staff has been so great. A belief shared by so many people across Wales.
"With all the challenges that face NHS staff in the coming years an urgent and significant pay rise is vital to reward staff and stem the tide of those leaving the NHS.
Retaining and rewarding the skilled, dedicated and experienced NHS staff will have massive benefits on the health and wellbeing of Wales."
The open letter to Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan and the wider Welsh Government has support from Unions across the health service workforce, including:
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of Midwives
- GMB
- Unite
- Unison
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- BMA
- British Association of Occupation Therapists
- The Society of Radiographers.
The Pay Review Bodies' (PRBs) recommendations are not yet published, but the Unions say they'd still like the Government to consider the pay rise if the PRBs don't meet their demands.