Posted 14 April 2023 - 12:23
Posted 14 April 2023 - 12:23
News
Non-NHS nurses able to vote in RCN pay ballot
Voting was open to all college members, even those not on Agenda for Change contracts, but RCN says a ‘robust validation process’ will discount any ineligible votes
Voting was open to all college members, even those not on Agenda for Change contracts, but RCN says a ‘robust validation process’ will discount any ineligible votes
Nurses who are not employed by the NHS have reportedly been able to vote in the RCN’s pay ballot.
The ballot was open to all members of the RCN regardless of their employer, meaning those who are not employed on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts were able to cast a vote despite the pay offer not applying to them.
‘Robust’ voter validation process in place, says RCN
While the college said it was clear only staff on AfC contracts would be able to have their say, Nursing Standard understands that nurses working in non-NHS settings were able to vote as members of the union.
The college confirmed its system allowed any member to log in and cast their vote, but said it has a ‘robust’ validation process in place to ensure only eligible members’ votes are counted in the final tally.
Non-eligible nurse explains why she cast her vote
A community nurse told Nursing Standard that she cast her vote before an RCN representative told her she was not eligible as she was not on an AfC contract.
The nurse, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she was able to log in to cast her vote and even change it before the ballot closed at 9am on 14 April.
She said her organisation is commissioned by her local integrated care system to provide NHS services, and that her contract ‘mirrors’ AfC terms and conditions. She added that the organisation she works for only looks after NHS patients.
‘We assumed that meant it was contractually agreed. I care for NHS patients for a community service commissioned by the NHS,’ she told Nursing Standard.
Ballot results now being counted
The RCN’s pay ballot has now closed, with hundreds of thousands of nurses voting on whether to accept the offer of a 5% pay rise for 2023-24 and a one-off payment for 2022-23. The results are expected to be announced this afternoon and it is understood the RCN is preparing for a rejection vote.
‘Eligibility criteria is clear’ on voting page, says RCN
While some nurses raised concerns about the accuracy of the ballot on social media, the RCN has confirmed only eligible members’ votes will be counted.
‘The pay consultation has been promoted to only those members whose records show they are employed in the NHS in England on AfC terms and conditions,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The system allows any member to log in to the voting page and cast their vote; however, throughout our communications and on the page itself, the eligibility criteria is clear.
‘Once the vote closes, a robust validation process will discount any votes cast by members who were not eligible to vote. It is only the votes of members employed in the NHS in England on AfC contracts that will count toward the final result.’
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