Pay rise for nurses: ‘the public backs us’

Nurses and union officials brought their pay-rise campaign to Ashford town centre this week.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) says the 1% pay rise limit imposed by the government on public sector workers is below the rate of inflation.

And officials say nurses have effectively seen a 14% pay cut in real terms over the past seven years – and that increasing numbers of them are now turning to food banks.

Regional organiser Daniel Heppell joined a team of activists in Ashford town centre in a bid to keep up the pressure on the government to deliver a higher pay increase.

He said: “We’ve got nurses using food banks and working all the hours that god sends after caring for others. A pay rise would make a huge difference.

“The public have been very supportive. The government has lifted the cap for select groups of staff in the public sector – but it’s a divide and conquer tactic.”

Activists say they are sending postcards to Ashford MP Damian Green to show the strength of public support.

FM4938807 RCN nurses in Ashford. Their campaign claims that increasing numbers of their members are turning to food banks