Posted 01 March 2023 - 14:47
Posted 01 March 2023 - 14:47
News
Nurses’ strikes loom again as union members reject enhanced offer
Extra 3% on top of existing pay offer would not make up for years of being undervalued by Wales NHS, insists RCN as it issues ministers with five-day ultimatum
Extra 3% on top of existing pay offer would not make up for years of being undervalued by Wales NHS, insists RCN as it issues ministers with five-day ultimatum
Further nursing strikes could be announced within days after nurses in Wales overwhelmingly rejected their latest, enhanced pay offer.
RCN Wales has now written to Welsh minister for health and social services Eluned Morgan calling for fresh pay talks, and giving the government five days to respond before planning for strike action.
The Unite and GMB unions similarly confirmed their members had rejected the offer of 3% on top of what was already on the table.
But Unison today said 61% of its participating members had accepted it. And although Royal College of Midwives members voted to reject it, the college said it would back a deal anyway.
Pay dispute in Wales continues, insists RCN
Director for RCN Wales Helen Whyley said: ‘Let’s be clear: this offer has not been accepted by RCN members.
‘Our members make up the vast majority of the nursing workforce in the NHS in Wales. They have spoken with strength to overwhelmingly reject this offer. We therefore remain in dispute.’
The additional 3% offer for 2022-23 is made up of 1.5% consolidated and 1.5% non-consolidated pay, in addition to the 4% offered earlier this year.
The package was negotiated through the Wales Partnership Forum made up of representatives of the government and eight health unions. Forum member the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) in Wales voted to accept the revised offer. And the RCM told the BBC it would now begin arrangements to accept it as a forum member, because the ‘government had made it clear there is no more money to put on the table.’
However, the RCN insists the extra offer does not make up for years of nurses being ‘undervalued and understaffed’.
‘We recognise strength of feeling on pay deal’
Health minister Ms Morgan added: ‘While we are pleased the offer has been accepted, we recognise the strength of feeling among members. We will continue to work in partnership through the implementation of this offer, and to begin immediate discussions on next steps.’
Meanwhile the Welsh Government confirmed it would match any offer resulting from the current NHS pay talks in England if it were higher than the 7% deal.
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