More than 9 out of 10 GMB members in the NHS have rejected the Government’s pay ‘insult’.
The union will now move to a strike ballot after 93% of members opposed the settlement and urges Health Secretary Sajid Javid to meet with NHS members to avoid industrial action.
GMB has been campaigning for a restorative increase of 15%, or £2 per hour (whichever is highest) to replace what has been lost from NHS pay packets over the last decade.
GMB was the only union to reject the last NHS pay deal in 2018.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:
“GMB members across the NHS have overwhelmingly rejected the offer. We now have no alternative as a union but to trigger industrial action ballots.
“The result is no surprise – a 3% pay increase is an insult after ten years of pay cuts under the Conservatives.
“With inflation at 4.8%, this settlement amounts to yet another real terms pay cut.
"On top of that, GMB analysis shows the average NHS worker will pay more than £500 extra a year in increased National Insurance contributions.
“Our members are already working above and beyond their contracts and the NHS can’t continue to survive on this goodwill any longer.
“We are seeking urgent talks with the Health Secretary. He must meet NHS workers and discuss how to recognise and reward the true value of what they are doing.
“Our health workers deserve a restorative 15% pay increase, not yet more salt in their wounds.”
