There are 5 things you can do now to help win the campaign (see below). You can ask your MP to support the Early Day Motion (EDM #742) which calls for pay talks to open now and for a meaningful pay rise for NHS workers. Just write your MP a letter or an email about the work you have been undertaking during the COVID pandemic and explain the effect it’s had on your family as someone working in the NHS. Ask them to sign up to EDM 742.

Without your additional commitment during this pandemic there is no doubt the death rates would have been higher. NHS staff have continued to work and have put their own health on the line to care for and treat the sick and the vulnerable. The staff have been there when patients' own families couldn’t be. They have held the hands of the dying and mopped the brows of the sick. They have cleaned, moved and administered. They have seen things others can’t even begin to imagine when deaths hit their peak—and potentially they are going to have to do it all over again, if or indeed when, another peak comes. Because we value our NHS and those who work in it we want to ensure the staff who provide it are valued. The government can show how much they value our NHS by doing more than clapping—they can open pay talks now and reward us properly.

UNISON is continuing to campaign for staff that are working in the NHS but are employed by private contractors. We want full Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions - which includes pay, enhancements, occupational sick pay and annual leave - for all those that work in the NHS. Some staff work side-by-side and do the same jobs, but they are paid less and have worse terms and conditions. We work as ONE team, we are ONE NHS and should be treated as ONE NHS.

Have your say on NHS pay

UNISON is leading the campaign for NHS staff to get a proper pay rise this year – before the current three-year deal is up.

After the coronavirus pandemic, the public overwhelmingly support more pay for NHS staff — 85% support a rise.

We want to hear from you as well. Tell us what a pay rise would mean for you and your colleagues.

We’ll use your words and pictures on social media and in the press to make the case for an early pay rise.