This week, our health members meet in Brighton for their annual conference.
It comes at a critical time for the NHS and for staff who face continued attacks from a government intent on driving in more competition – a byword for privatisation – cuts to staffing levels and to pay and conditions.
UNISON’s latest survey of nurses found staff stretched to danger point.
The survey, which was taken on a typical day in the life of the NHS, showed nursing staff caring for too many patients, working through breaks and beyond their hours, but still going home with the feeling that work was left undone and patient care compromised.
Speaking at the conference this morning, I called again for an end to the pay freeze and squeeze that has blighted so many lives.
Delegates will be voting on whether to move to a strike ballot over pay. It’s no wonder members are angry and I share that anger and frustration. I pledged the full support and backing of the union for any decision they make.
Health workers have seen the value of their pay fall by between 10% and 14% since the coalition came to power. And to add insult to injury, last month the government swept aside the pay review body’s recommendation and insisted instead on a 1% non-consolidated pay increase only to staff at the top of their incremental scale.
Freezing the NHS budget has led to a catalogue of cuts and closures and patients and staff are bearing the brunt.
That is why it’s so important for members to get together, listen to the debates and plan for the future.
It is only by working together and building a stronger union that we can fight back, because together we can win.
