North East nurses warned the Government they are determined to fight for a better pay deal - and aren't afraid to walk-out on strike again early next year if need be.
Speaking from picket lines in Newcastle and Gateshead, NHS nurses told ChronicleLive how goodwill seen when they were called "heroes" and "angels" during the Covid-19 pandemic was all well and good - but it doesn't pay their bills or for their shopping. This came on the second day of strike action called by the Royal College of Nursing over the last week.
However, the second walk-out came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested in media interviews he would not be revising the pay deals on offer to NHS workers. The PM then said on Tuesday afternoon that he "cannot budge" on the issue due to rising inflation.
But on the picket line outside of the QE in Gateshead, nurse Jacqui WIlliamson said: "We're trying to fight to support the NHS long-term as well as in the short term. We desperately need more nurses.
"The nurses here have worked so hard, but especially in the last couple of years. There are too many burning out, too many going elsewhere. We are trying to fight to get not just proper pay but to be recognised for the work that we put in."
Alongside her, colleague Kirsty added: "I have been quite elated to be here. We have had some really great support from the public and from other members of NHS staff. We are just going to have to keep going until the Government listen."
Through the morning, RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen visited workers on the picket lines in Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland. According to those in Gateshead, she promised that she "has our back".
Gateshead's own "silent piper" - bagpiper Anthony Riley who lives near to the hospital and is married to a healthworker - also arrived at the picket line to show support by playing a number of rousing tunes. He said he wanted to see the Government make the decision to prioritise NHS pay.
"I'm just right behind the nurses," he said. "This is a position they shouldn't find themselves in. It's been on the wall for the last ten or fifteen years. With inflation, the cost-of-living, and as everyone knows the use of food banks and rising poverty, this is not on."
In Newcastle, outside the Freeman Hospital, nurse Maria added: "I just feel we must keep fighting to have our voices heard. During Covid we worked really hard and we were called heroes and angels. Everyone clapped. But in terms of paying us what we deserve, the Government is not there for us. Health professionals deserve better."
Fellow nurse Cherry added: "We can't pay for our groceries with claps."
RCN nurses at hospitals run by the Newcastle Hospitals, Northumbria Healthcare and Gateshead Health NHS trusts voted to walk out over a pay dispute. The RCN is demanding a pay rise of inflation plus 5% - but the Government's pay offer remains an uplift of £1,400 for the poorest paid - a substantially lower figure and one well below inflation.
Speaking in Westminster, PM Rishi Sunak said he was standing by the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies, which he said had taken into account “forward estimates of inflation”.
Addressing those workers contemplating striking this Christmas, Mr Sunak said: “I’ve acknowledged it is difficult, it’s difficult for everybody, because inflation is where it is. And the best way to help them and help everyone else in the country is for us to get a grip and reduce inflation as quickly as possible.
“And we need to make sure that the decisions that we make can bring about that outcome. Because if we get it wrong and we’re still dealing with high inflation in a year’s time, that’s not going to help anybody. I don’t want to see that, I want to see things get back to normal, and that’s why having an independent pay process is an important part of us making those decisions and getting them correct."
Health Secretary Steve Barclay however suggested his "door remains open to further talks" with NHS unions - though last week he did not engage with a proposal from the Royal College of Nursing to hold talks in return for postponing these strikes.
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