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NI health worker pay offer welcomed by most unions

PA Media An ambulance worker in florescent jacket holds a sign saying "if our pay doesn't rise we will" standing beside an ambulance estate car. Behind her are other striking ambulance workers. PA Media
Photo of Unison strike action in 2023

A Department of Health pay offer has been welcomed by most of NI's health unions.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that a pay rise of 5.5% would match offers given to healthcare workers in England and Wales.

One of the main unions, Unison, said it received a formal written commitment that this pay parity will be maintained for 2024/2025.

The payment will be made in two separate instalments, with health workers expecting at least 10 months of back pay.

But the union Nipsa told BBC News NI it would not be accepting the offer in its current form as it is committed to securing a guarantee of 12 months back pay.

PA Media Mike Nesbitt wearing a dark coloured suit and a pink tie, with a white shirt. PA Media
Mike Nesbitt confirmed an offer of 5.5% was offered to health unions

The final instalment for the pay offer could come from savings made elsewhere in the Department of Health and potentially from the New Year monitoring round.

The gap has been narrowed sufficiently now that the health minister has been able to make a guarantee to the unions in writing.

Ann Speed, from Unison, told BBC News NI that this was good news and strike action had been avoided.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also welcomed the offer.

A statement from the RCM said it was "long overdue".

"The proposed pay award is on par with what RCM members received in England and Wales and the RCM has welcomed confirmation that it will be backdated to June 2024."

However, a spokesperson from Nipsa said: "Branch representatives are clear that the concerns of members have not been addressed by the current position of the Department of Health.

"Nipsa will continue to monitor the situation and to lobby for sufficient funding to cover health service pay."

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In practical terms health workers can now expect at least 10 months retrospective pay on their March 2025 pay dates.

"Health unions will remain engaged and focused early in the New Year on full delivery of the minister's commitments, " Ms Speed said.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt told BBC News NI: "It was my determination that healthcare workers would not go through Christmas wondering if they're going to have to take strike action to get the pay parity they deserve."