nions have reacted with anger to suggestions that the Government will offer a 5% pay increase to public sector workers, including nurses, next week.
Health unions have been waiting for a decision on pay for months after the NHS Pay Review Body made its recommendation to ministers earlier this year.
The Financial Times reported that a 5% pay increase will be announced next week, just before that parliament breaks before summer break.
Years of wage cuts by ministers must not end with another real drop in salaries
Unions have pushed for decent wage increases amid rising inflation and staff shortages they blame on poor wages.
Royal College of Nursing Secretary General Pat Cullen said: “Millions of optimistic workers will hope these shattering reports are completely inaccurate. Their work and current personal hardships justify more from the government.
“Nurses would not find this remotely acceptable. Years of wage cuts by ministers must not be concluded with another real drop in salaries.
“There are tens of thousands of nurse vacancies and this treatment is pushing more out of the profession.
“Our members in Scotland We have an offer of this level on the table and we are opposed to it – we have asked Members to reject it and to consider industrial action if ministers do not move.
“Ministers in Westminster still have the opportunity to see the writing on the wall and do the right thing by nursing.”
Unison’s head of health, Sara Gorton, said: “A pay rise less than inflation will not be enough to persuade disillusioned health professionals to stay in the NHS.
“If more staff leave, the health service will soon be unable to cope, which means that the queues for examinations and treatments will become even longer.
“Ministers must act on reward to protect the NHS, patients and staff and avoid the prospect of a dispute that no one wants.”
Unions will study the details of any offer very closely, as this prime minister cannot be trusted on public sector pay
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The unions will study the details of any offer very carefully as this prime minister cannot be trusted in public sector rewards.
“Our amazing civil servants – who have helped us through the pandemic – have endured a decade of wage freezes and cuts.
“With Britain in the midst of its worst cost of living crisis in generations and rampant inflation, public sector workers cannot afford to have their wages kept low again.”
A government spokesperson said: “The government wants fair pay for nurses, doctors and taxpayers, and is carefully considering the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies.
“We are incredibly grateful to all NHS staff and received a 3% pay rise last year – increasing nurses’ pay by an average of £1,000 despite a pay freeze in the public sector, and we are giving NHS workers another pay rise this year .”