Matter for Discussion: Fair Pay for Nursing campaign

The Fair Pay for Nursing (FPFN) campaign arose from the RCN UK Pay Programme. The aims are to improve pay, terms and conditions for all RCN members. During 2022-23, there has been a significant focus on pay, terms and conditions for members employed on NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions. 

The UK-wide FPFN campaign has sought to influence the decision makers determining nursing pay – this has included the NHS Pay Review Body and the respective governments. In addition, the campaign has sought to raise public awareness on, and support for, fair pay for nursing. Throughout 2022-2023 the campaign has been a major component of the RCN pay-related activity across all four countries of the UK. 

Learning from the 2018/19 campaign to influence Scotland's safe staffing legislation was used to inform and develop campaigning on pay. And In Wales, lessons from the 2021/22 Welsh parliamentary petition campaign to extend Section 25B of the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016 to community and mental health setting were used to inform and mobilise members campaigning on pay.  

An independent review of the strike action taken by RCN members in Northern Ireland during 2019 and 2020 highlighted the importance of planning and tactical awareness, as well as building momentum and risk management. The review also emphasised the need for structured governance frameworks, clear parameters for decision-making, and effective communication channels. 

In mid-summer 2022, following direct negotiations in Scotland and PRB recommendations elsewhere, Council agreed for statutory industrial action ballots to progress across all four countries. Members voted overwhelmingly for strike action. Strikes in England, Northern Ireland and Wales commenced in December 2022, with pauses to conduct further negotiations and balloting of members as necessary. In Scotland the prospect of strike action by RCN members prompted further negotiations. 

The FPFN campaign continued to be the vehicle for driving pay related campaign activity including influencing decision makers, building member engagement, member voice, and building public support – including during the strike ballots and subsequent industrial action.  

The continuing FPFN campaign has included the use of new technologies, new ways of engaging members, and opportunities for members to become involved through new pathways such as voting volunteers, picket supervisors, or strike committee members. During the period of the campaign and related industrial action, the RCN’s membership and membership engagement has significantly increased, as has the number of expressions of interest in becoming an RCN representative. 

The RCN has made history by gaining mandates for strike action across the UK as part of the campaign for Fair Pay for Nursing and safe staffing levels. Congress 2023 is an opportunity for members to discuss the campaign to date and share learning from branches, forums, boards and individual members that will inform future campaigns and demonstrate the strength of the RCN as a both professional body and trade union.

Reading list for this debate available at rcn.libguides.com/congress2023.