The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is due to announce the results of a vote on the government’s salary proposal on Friday, with the vote reportedly too close to a vote.
The offer, which includes a lump sum payment for fiscal year 2022/23 plus a 5 percent pay increase for 2023/24, was made to nurses as well as other NHS employees including paramedics, 999 emergency workers, midwives, nursing assistants . , security guards and cleaners. This does not apply to paramedics who are involved in a separate legal dispute.
The deal was made with RCN, GMB, Unison, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the British Dietetic Association, who recommended that their members accept the deal. However, Unite said the supply was not enough.
Here’s everything you need to know about the offer, when the results might be announced, and whether there might be any additional warnings if it’s rejected.
NHS payment offer explained
Under the agreement, NHS staff covered by the Agenda for Change scheme will receive a lump sum payment of 2 percent of their salary in 2022/23.
They will also receive what is known as the “NHS Backlog Bonus” which “recognizes the ongoing pressure the NHS has faced since the pandemic and the extraordinary efforts made by staff to meet backlog recovery goals.”
The salary is a minimum of £1250 per person but is determined by experience and pay scale. For example, an average grade 5 nurse is paid £1,350.
In fiscal year 2023/24, NHS staff will be offered a 5 percent pay increase.
Health Minister Steve Barclay said the deal means a new qualified nurse will receive more than £1,800 this year, plus a salary increase of more than £1,300 next year.
When will the voting results be announced?
RCN voting ended at 9:00 am on Friday, April 14th and the results will be announced later that day. Unison voting also closes today at 3:00 pm and results are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Nurses in England will go on strike again this month if RCN members reject the proposal, which could lead to a nurses’ strike coinciding with a strike by junior doctors.
RCN said: “Voting is still open and we don’t have results. Each participant is invited to vote before 9 am on Friday, with the final result to be announced later that day.
If the offer is rejected, Unison will not decide on another strike until next week’s health conference in Bournemouth.
Will the unions accept this proposal?
Although the RCN encourages nurses to accept this proposal, there is strong opposition from the participants themselves.
Many are unhappy with the prospect of a 5 percent wage increase if inflation stays above 10 percent.
Announcing the offer, RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen said: “The government has been forced to begin these negotiations and restart the awards process due to historical pressure from the medical staff. The participants made the most difficult decisions to go on strike, and I believe that today they were won.
“After difficult negotiations, here are a number of commitments that our members believe will have a positive impact on the nursing profession, the NHS and the people who rely on it.
“Our members will give their opinion on this, and I respect everyone’s point of view. Everyone should take a close look at what this means to them.
“In addition to the additional funds we now have, we have made real progress with the government on safe staffing measures, a new pay structure for caregivers, support for new skilled staff and pensions.
“It’s not a panacea, but it’s really tangible progress, and RCN leaders are asking other nurses to support what our talks have achieved.”
Mr Barclay said: “This proposal will give nurses, paramedics, physical therapists and other non-medical personnel a fair pay increase while protecting our drive to halve inflation.
“We have had constructive and meaningful discussions with unions and NHS employers and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to make the NHS a better place to work.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.