NHS workers who belong to Unison have voted decisively to accept the pay offer from the government, the union announced on Friday.
The union announced 74 per cent of those who voted backed the deal of a 5 per cent pay rise this year and a cash payment for last year.
The decision means it is likely that no further ambulance strikes will take place in London, as paramedics in the capital are represented by the union. Four strikes took place over three months during the winter period, bringing disruption to emergency services.
The turnout was 52 per cent among Unison’s 288,000 members in England.
The decision was revealed ahead of an announcement by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) of its ballot among nurses on the same offer.
Both the RCN and Unison had recommended that members accept the deal, with the RCN’s General Secretary Pat Cullen branding it the “final offer”.
The deal consists of a one-off lump sum payment of between £1,655 and £3,789 depending on pay band and a 5 per cent pay rise for the next financial year.
The move comes as a relief for Health Secretary Steve Barclay but could create confusion if separate health unions - including the RCN and Unite - vote to reject the deal.
UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Clearly health workers would have wanted more, but this was the best that could be achieved through negotiation.
“Over the past few weeks, health workers have weighed up what’s on offer. They’ve opted for the certainty of getting the extra cash in their pockets soon.
“It’s a pity it took several months of strike action before the government would commit to talks. Unions told ministers last summer the £1,400 pay rise wasn’t enough to stop staff leaving the NHS, nor to prevent strikes. But they didn’t want to listen.
“Instead, health workers were forced to strike, losing money they could ill afford. The NHS and its patients suffered months of unnecessary disruption.”
She added: “This vote might end UNISON’s dispute, but it doesn’t solve the wider staffing emergency affecting every part of the NHS. Now, the government must work with unions to bring about a sustained programme of investment in the workforce.”
The NHS staff council, which consists of several health unions including Unison and the RCN, will meet on May 2 and report back to the government with a final decision on the offer.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers said the announcement of the Unison ballot was”very positive”.
“It is clearly concerning to hear reports that RCN members may have rejected the pay offer agreed between non-medical unions and government, and which the RCN recommended to its membership.
“Whist there is now a period of uncertainty due to the differing responses I would urge all parties to await the completion of the process for all unions this month before deciding what their response should be.”
A government spokesperson said: “The decision by members of Unison, the largest NHS union, to accept the pay offer recommended by their leadership demonstrates that it is a fair and reasonable proposal that can bring this dispute to an end.
“Under the offer, an Agenda for Change employee at the Band 6 entry point – such as a physiotherapist, paramedic or a midwife – will receive over £5,100 across last year and this year, with over £2,000 in bonus payments arriving as a lump sum in pay cheques by summer.
“Hundreds of thousands of Agenda for Change staff continue to vote in ballots for other unions over the next two weeks and we hope this generous offer secures their support.”
