The CSP joined other health unions in urging the health secretary to act swiftly on negotiations over much needed improvements to Agenda for Change, which covers almost all NHS staff apart from doctors and dentists.
The unions have jointly said that most NHS workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland feel they are being treated as second-class, with pay awards consistently and significantly lower than those given to doctors and dentists.
The changes to the pay structure would help improve salaries for the lowest paid while offering opportunities for faster career development elsewhere.
The new health secretary is expected to meet unions imminently.
CSP assistant director Jim Fahie, who is secretary of the NHS unions, said: 'The health secretary faces some big challenges and NHS staff will be central to tackling most of them.
'That makes it essential to fix the longstanding issues in the NHS pay structure that are causing some staff to be stuck on low pay and others to face unacceptable barriers to making progress.
Many of the problems in the NHS will be complex to solve but making much-needed improvements to the pay structure can actually be quite simple if the government works with us to deliver on what has been promised repeatedly.
In Scotland, the government has scrapped the pay review body process and instead negotiates directly with unions. As a result, Scottish staff now earn more than colleagues elsewhere in the UK doing the same jobs.
The CSP intends to consult members over the outcome of the talks, alongside seeking views on the 3.3 per cent pay award the government implemented in April.
- Make sure you can take part in the consultation by ensuring your contact details are up to date on our website.
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