Strikes for sterling: new pay deal offered to health unions

Health workers across England, including ambulance workers and nurses, have hailed victory after the Health Secretary made a significant new pay offer in a bid to end industrial action.

Dating back to December last year, thousands of health workers have been involved in a number of strikes over pay disputes. However, speaking up yesterday evening, Health Secretary Steve Barclay, boycotted the claim that this year’s pay deal could not be reopened and offered a one-off bonus worth up to 8.2%.

The offer – which most health unions are now discussing with their members – also includes a permanent 5% pay rise from April, with the lowest-paid receiving a bigger boost, to lift minimum pay in the NHS to £11.45 an hour.

In January, Mr Barclay met with health unions to discuss a fair pay deal and only offered a one-off payment which was immediately rejected.

However, even though talks seem to be progressing well, questions have emerged about whether the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is prepared to set aside new money to fund the pay rise – Mr Hunt delivered is spring budget on Wednesday but failed to mention the NHS.

A Treasury source has explained existing budgets would be able to cover a 3.5% pay rise for health workers, but as the proposed percentage has increased, the Department of Health and Social Care would have to pay for the rest through efficiency savings or bid for more funding in the next few months.

On Thursday the government and the NHS Staff Council, which includes the unions, released a joint statement which said: ‘Both sides believe [the pay offer] represents a fair and reasonable settlement that acknowledges the dedication of NHS staff, while acknowledging the wider economic pressures currently facing the UK.’

The majority of unions, including Unison, the GMB and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have said they will be recommending the offer to their members and then a vote will be cast to decide on whether to accept it.

Although, Unite, which represents less NHS workers than the other organisations, said it will not be recommending the offer.

The RCN, which angered some of the other health unions after unilaterally entering talks with Mr Barclay last month, said it had also secured a new pay structure for nurses, to come into force from 2024-25.

General Secretary of the RCN, Pat Cullen, said: ‘After tough negotiations, there are a series of commitments here that our members can see will make a positive impact on the nursing profession, the NHS and the people who rely on it.’

Nevertheless, whilst various health unions have paused their strikes – ambulance and nurses strikes have been called off this month – Junior Doctors engaged in industrial action which took place from 13th – 15th March. 

Image: Heidi Fin