MEMBERS of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have been rallying support for a petition against pay changes.

As Unison nurses, cleaners, porters and midwives staged a four-hour strike on Monday, members of the RCN chose a different tactic by gathering signatures to support their one per cent pay increase.

Senior RCN officer Julie Lewers said their members had voted against striking so instead decided to promote an Early Day Motion.

The motion condemns the Government’s decision to reject a recommendation by the Independent Pay Review Body that all NHS staff should receive a pay rise to meet the rising costs of living.

“It is to get the pay rise back on the parliamentary agenda,” she said.

“It’s really about the Government recognising the pay review body’s suggestion which was one per cent across the board.

“It is not a pay rise as such. The cost of living is going up, be it food or fuel, and nurses aren’t getting anything extra.”

The change in pay will also mean that NHS pensions will not be reflected in the pay rise and that any increment will not be taken into account when applying for a loan or mortgage.

Ms Lewers added: “Although it is a good pension we’re having to working for longer hours to pay more and get less out. Our members are very clear we don’t wish to strike but we feel impassioned to get this straight.

“Nurses are working to keep RHCH going but they are particularly stretched and I don’t think the public fully grasps this.”

Rachel Wood, a learning and development facilitator for the South East, said she “burnt out of the nursing profession”, after working as a clinical nurse for 25 years, because there was never any investment or debriefing for critical incidents.

“Everything I do is about supporting nurses and clinical practice,” she said.

“Anything I can do to keep them working and make them feel recognised and valued. Today’s about working for recognition from the general public because it does appear, with current pay awards, that the Government doesn’t recognise nurses and think they can be easily replaced by recruiting from overseas.

“It would be great to get some solidarity from members of the public for the working environment of nurses which often include incredibly difficult circumstances.”