Unite press release

For immediate release: Tuesday 2  May 2023

“Appalling pay offer” provokes strike at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Inflation is three times higher than the College’s pay offer of 4%

Strike action is set for 15-17 May, and 23-25 May during the College’s annual conference.

Members of Unite employed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have set strike dates in a dispute over an “appalling pay offer”.

Despite a 96% vote in favour of strike action on a 90% turnout, bosses still offered workers an appalling 4% pay increase when the rate of inflation is 13.5%. The offer was  overwhelmingly rejected by Unite members by a margin of 93%.

RCPCH finished the financial year £2.2 million ahead of budget.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Bosses at the Royal College have made their staff an appalling pay offer when prices are going through the roof.

“It’s hypocrisy to impose a huge real terms pay cut on workers when the Royal College itself warns about the impact of low pay on public health.

“The College can afford to pay workers more. Unite’s support for these workers will last as long as it takes.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, is the membership body for paediatricians in the UK and around the world. It plays a major role in postgraduate medical education, professional standards, research and policy.

Unite regional officer Matt Freeman said: “The President of the College Camilla Kingdon believes the responsibility for ending the NHS pay dispute lies with the employer. Why is a strike in her own College any different?

“Our members want the College to start practising what it preaches. We were shocked when management and the trustees refused to increase maternity, paternity and adoption pay for staff during the latest negotiations.

“Unite members have been crystal clear about what it will take to end this dispute. There is still time for management to make a decent pay offer to help workers through the cost of living crisis.” 

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315  

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.