Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments today (Sunday) ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between health unions, NHS employers and the secretary of state, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“Health workers will be hoping the Prime Minister’s comments mean the talks can go beyond hearing solely about the pay review body evidence for the year from April.
“The earliest that process could finish is months away in May. The health secretary needs to set out what the government can do right now to prevent the dispute from continuing.
“Making a firm commitment to boost wages for what’s left of the current year would mean unions may call off the strikes.
“There could then be negotiations to secure the kind of pay deal the NHS needs to get back on track and provide safe patient care. This is all anyone wants.”
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
