“Asking many demoralised NHS staff to shell out more for their pensions could prove a step too far.
“Even though the changes won’t kick in until later in the year, the cost of living crisis will be far from over by the autumn.
“Top earners in the NHS will be quids in under the changes. Part-time staff will end up paying less too, but the majority of full-time employees will be worse off. Some significantly so.
“The government must get behind an inflation-busting wage rise for NHS workers to soften the blow, or many will walk.
“With many health workers close to the age they can start claiming their pensions, this is a real possibility. Then the NHS, which is already thousands of staff short, really could be in trouble.”
Notes to editors: -UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk