WHAT DO THEY THINK NURSES DO ALL DAY?

Fury at pay talks link tó productivity

- BEN GLAZE

WORN down by 13 years of Tory cuts, the pandemic and an exodus of colleagues, NHS staff are working harder than ever to keep the crippled service running.

But the Government’s answer to their plea for a decent wage to match their commitment was to tell them to graft more for it, a union chief claimed.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay was yesterday accused of insulting NHS staff, who the Tories roundly hailed and applauded for their dedication at the height of Covid.

Talks aimed at preventing a wave of winter strikes broke down yesterday. Ambulance staff will now walk out tomorrow, followed by nurses on January 18 and 19.

Unite negotiator Onay Kasab claimed No10 told health workers they would need to “justify” a pay rise through productivity. He said: “This isn’t a factory we’re talking about. We’re talking about people who are working well beyond their contracted hours anyway just to get the job done as they care so much.

“For the Government to be talking about productivity in exchange for a payment is an insult to every single one of our members.” The lack of a wage rise offer dashed hopes NHS staff could be given a one-off payment this year to settle the row.