I'm not entirely sure as to the purpose of this article. It would appear to be a thinly veiled attempt to attack public sector workers requesting a fair and reasonable pay. Since when was a reasonable pay a 'financial reward'? Like any industry, you are paid in return for your services and NHS workers, like the considerable bulk of public sector workers, provide a valuable (and often live saving) service.

The state, as an employer, has responsibilities towards its workers. Just because you are paid for out of public coffers does not discount you from having the same rights as everyone else. Consider as well that the NHS, like other public sector bodies, struggles with staffing issues in order to remain cost effective. The impact of this is that jobs that might normally be available are not so, so a potential jobs market is missing.

Many people will be struggling at this time financially and job loss is the unfortunate consequence of economic downturn. However, there too the taxpayer pays out to support them with unemployment benefit. Are all those with jobs then to argue that they shouldn't be paying out as much for those without work, because times are tougher?

An economic downturn is no excuse for deprivation of a fair and equal pay or the diminishment of any rights whatsoever. Instead of poking fingers at those that have jobs, we should be focusing on the government efforts to restore the economy, both nationally and globally. Economic changes should be made that benefit the common worker, not the big business owner. That is where public scrutiny should lie.

Well I'd join them on the barricades if it came to it. My father and myself have both received hospital treatment in past 18 months and the nurses in every case were great. The only problem both of us had were with snooty docs (and GPs, btw) treating us like we were a nuisance whose worries were of little or no concern. THESE are the NHS workers losing public sympathy - and fast - who, along with an army of consultants and managers, have reaped double digit% pay rises and bonuses in recent years.

'Don't you forget...who you are and where you stand in the struggle.' BM

I think this is one of the best written arcicles I have read for a while. The first 2 paragraphs are very true, they give context, and they could be applied to many global situations, both now and through history.

Many people will wonder why it is that the Royal College of Nursing voted by over 90% to accept this offer. Which their president described as 'Better than expected' and is the best offer to the public sector. And yet Unite describe it as 'derisory'

Technically speaking, Jobseekers benefits don't come from taxes, but from the National Insurance we pay in over the years we are at work. Hence the word 'Insurance'

I expect that there would be a lack of sympathy from someone who has just been laid off, then becomes sick and is unable to get medical treatment because the paramedics are on strike. But we shall have to wait and see what happens.

Absolutely spot-on.

We don't mind paying taxes to pay for wage increases when we can afford it but when the govt is having to borrow at huge expense to keep the economy going this money must not be spent on ever-increasing wages.
We are in such a mess because the the govt decided to award inflation busting pay deals instead of putting anything aside from a rainy day - so unions would be better off getting quiet rather than drawing attention to themselves.

It is also irritating that Unite pretend that the pay deal would be for poorly paid workers when in fact it would be an across the board increase - including to very highly paid practitioners.

'Is sympathy running out for NHS workers?' - no - simple as. NHS workers work around the clock 365 days of the year; so whilst the person who wrote this pathetic article is resting at home with family and friends on Christmas day and celebrating the New Year with perhaps a drink or two the Hospitals are still open for business. Eight per cent over three years is derisory - the public sector is way behind the private sector in terms of wages - no fat cat bonus's here - and contribute something of real value to our society.
Seems to me the only 'bitter and resentful' person here is the so called reporter - just hope you keep your job mate and continue the contributions flowing to BUPA!!

Get with reality Merlinsdream, every single independent report proves that public sector pay outstrips that of the private sector
NHS workers are not the only ones to work on Christmas day or nights, what about supermarkets, service stations, power stations, spar, call centres - I could go on.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5015025.ece

http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/08/11/47061/public-sector-staff-paid-more-than-private-sector-employees.html

If you want the truth about public sector pay I suggest you read the news rather than listen to rants on forums.

An average public sector employee now has total earnings including pension of £650 per week, or £33,800 a year. The average private sector worker earns £22,900 a year.!

LEP are you brave enough to report the true figure?