The GMB Union is calling for the efforts of healthcare workers throughout the pandemic to be recognised by the Pay Review Body with what it terms 'pay justice' after a decade of cuts.
The union is demanding a 15% or £2 per hour increase, whichever is the greatest - saying that NHS staff have seen their pay devalued by between 13% and 17% in real terms during the past ten years of austerity from the Conservative government.
These claims are backed up by a report published by London Economics for the NHS trade unions*, which examines the flawed Agenda for Change (AfC) framework in England and concludes that pay rises are much-needed, long overdue and affordable for the Treasury.
The report finds that since 2010-11, pay levels at every AfC spine point have declined in excess of 10%, with the highest incidence of decline being 15%, seen by staff at the top of Band 5. This is three times the decline in median earnings experienced by full-time employees in the private sector over the same period.
The analysis by London Economic evaluates the net Exchequer impact of a pay rise of 5% and 10% taking into consideration the headline cost and the benefits that would offset this cost, such as increased tax receipts, greater consumption by AfC staff in the wider economy, savings from improved staff recruitment and retention and cost savings from lower student write-offs. In both scenarios it concluded that the Exchequer would recoup 81% of the costs of providing the increase.
Arguing for a 15% increase, Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, says: “NHS workers continue to make extraordinary sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic. Now is the time for the Government to recognise and restore pay justice to these key workers.
“Our health service is no longer a living wage employer after a decade of Conservative cuts. The lowest paid this year fell below the Foundation Living Wage. Workers are still suffering negative consequences from the last pay settlement - which GMB members rejected.
“This time, the Pay Review Body must give NHS workers a proper pay rise - 15% or £2 per hour, whichever is greater.”
* The net Exchequer impact of increasing pay for Agenda for Change staff
