Posted 15 February 2018 - 10:15
Posted 15 February 2018 - 10:15
News
Jersey’s nurses reject pay offer that would have ‘benefited vast majority’
Jersey pay talks to continue as nurses vote ‘no’ to deal
Jersey pay talks to continue as nurses vote 'no' to deal
Nurses on Jersey have rejected a pay offer by their government that the RCN said would have benefited the 'vast majority'.
The college balloted its members on the package and saw a 51% turnout, with 75% of votes cast against the offer.
As previously reported, the proposal involved the introduction of flat, non-incremental bands. All nurses in any one band would be placed on the same salary level.
Each nurse would receive an ‘uplift’ of at least 1%, depending on experience, from July 2017 and a further consolidated 1% pay rise backdated to January 2017.
Further rises over the next three years formed part of the deal, and included:
- 1% increase in 2018.
- 1.5% increase in 2019.
- 2.5% increase in 2020.
The States of Jersey administration has been in the process of overhauling public sector pay on the island with its Workforce Modernisation programme. It has been in talks with Unite’s Jersey Nursing Association as well as the RCN. Both unions held ballots.
‘Advising members was tricky’
RCN Jersey branch chair Kenny McNeil said: ‘The members have spoken and we are therefore returning a no. This was a tricky one to advise members on as the work around modernisation meant that whilst the vast majority of members would see a benefit, some didn’t.
‘It appears the sticking point for many members lies around unsocial hours and the impact this might have on them in the future.’
Mr McNeil said the talks continue in a positive fashion and agreed the current pay framework must be overhauled.
Unite said its ballot attracted as negative a response as that of the RCN.
Unite regional officer Nick Corbel said: ‘Our members overwhelmingly rejected the proposals on the grounds they would be detrimental in terms of their pay and employment conditions.
‘We met the employer on 13 February to discuss the results of this ballot and the other ballots affecting the public sector, and will be meeting management again next week.’
A States of Jersey spokesperson said it would continue discussions with the unions next week.
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