Health workers in Wales are to be consulted on a new pay offer and encouraged to accept it, says UNISON today (Friday).
The NHS pay dispute in Wales has resulted in further talks and a new offer put forward by the Welsh government. If accepted, the offer will equate to an average 3% lump sum, described as an NHS recovery payment for 2022/23 and a 5% consolidated pay rise for 2023/24.
In March, health unions, including UNISON, agreed a 1.5% consolidated pay rise backdated to April 2022 as well as a 1.5% one off payment. This was in addition to a £1,400 pay increase for 2022/23.
Tens of thousands of NHS staff will now be consulted over the next three weeks with a recommendation to accept, says UNISON.
UNISON Cymru/Wales head of bargaining and campaigns, Jess Turner, said:
“It has taken months of talks in Wales to achieve this new improved pay offer for staff. Whilst we know they deserve more; this offer is a significant step forward and the best that could be achieved through negotiation.”
“Earlier this year, UNISON ambulance workers in Wales secured a mandate for strike action as morale hit an all-time low. However, this offer is a significant improvement from where we started in January.”
“The offer also contains additional terms & conditions commitments such as a reduction in the qualifying period for unsocial hours and enhancements on sick pay, down from the already negotiated three weeks to one week.”
“That’s why UNISON is now recommending voters to accept the offer. This will avoid loss of pay through strikes for workers, further delays in the NHS and will mean extra money in their pay checks. If health workers reject, there is a risk that the offer could be withdrawn.”
“It’s now up to NHS workers to decide and see what the offer means for them financially.”
Notes to editors:
• The NHS recovery payment is an average 3% worth between £900 and £1,190 to health workers in Wales.
• The 7.8% pay award for health workers on Band 1 and the entry point of Band 2 for 2023/24 will mean the lowest paid in NHS Wales will receive an annual salary of £22,720 with the new hourly rate of pay rising from £10.90 to £11.39. All other pay points are being offered 5%.
• Pay at the top of Band 5 rises from £33,428 to £35,099 in 23/24 with the 5% uplift.
• If accepted, NHS workers in Wales will have received an extra unconsolidated payment of 4.5% in addition to a consolidated payment of 1.5% in their 22/23 pay.
• UNISON and other health unions will now consult with NHS staff in Wales via an online consultation as to whether or not to accept the latest Welsh government offer. This consultation will start on Monday 24 April and last for three weeks.
• In Scotland, UNISON members have voted to accept an offer from the Scottish government
• In Northern Ireland, staff have only just received the £1,400 paid to their colleagues in England and Wales last September. The hope is that developments in England will prove enough to unlock the ongoing dispute in Northern Ireland
• In England, UNISON members have voted to accept an offer from the UK Government that spans 2022/23 and 2023/24
Media contact:
Rupert Denholm-Hall M: 07967 463 158 E: r.denholm-hall@unison.co.uk