The Royal College of Nursing’s campaign to encourage Chancellor Gordon Brown to reconsider his recommendation of a pay award based on the 2% inflation target is in full swing with the sending of over 2,000 e-cards from RCN members demanding a more substantial pay award.
RCN president Sylvia Denton also voiced concerns about the negative impact of an unfair pay award on recruitment and retention of nurses. She said: “Let’s be under no illusions, the prospect of an annual pay cut will not attract people into – and keep them in – our profession. It will simply scare them off and drive them out. Apay cut is not just unfair for nurses, it’s bad news for patients.”
