The Royal College of Nursing claims NHS staff received the ‘best available pay deal’.
The Royal College of Nursing has rebutted calls by members that it should reopen the pay negotiations in England following accusations the union “misrepresented” the pay deal to its members.
During the consultation over NHS pay, the RCN told staff they would receive a minimum of a 3% uplift in July and backpay in August – this information later turned out to be incorrect.
‘A vote of no confidence’.
The controversy over NHS pay within the organisation has led to the resignation of the unions Chief Executive, an independent review and a pending vote of no confidence in the unions’ leadership.
However, the union has said it continues to believe the NHS pay deal it recommended to its members was the “best available deal”.
‘This is the best deal for members’.
Due to mounting pressure, NursingNotes approached the RCN to clarify its position on the pay deal. A spokesperson for the Royal College of Nursing said: “The college believed and believes that this was the best available deal for our members. This is the sole basis on which we recommended the deal and indeed the sole basis on which we would recommend any deal.
“We were amongst 13 health service unions who recommended the deal.”
‘The best deal in eight years’.
Lors Allford, Chair of RCN Trade Union Committee, previously said about the deal: “This is the best pay deal in eight years from a Government that is still committed to austerity.
“This is our chance to lock in a pay deal for three years, that not only guarantees our members will get more money, but simplifies the pay structure so that they get recognised for their increasing skill and experience quicker.”