NHS workers who have been striking over pay will receive the extra pay rise offer made by the Welsh Government despite some unions voting to reject it with disputes ongoing..
The Welsh Government has announced that it has struck an agreement with the Wales Partnership Forum - which is made up of NHS trade unions in Wales - to give all workers the pay rise. This means that the pay offer will be applied to all NHS workers, even though the Royal College of Nurses, GMB and Unite (who represent ambulance workers) have rejected the offer, and remain in dispute.
The enhanced pay offer for 22/23 includes a 1.5% salary rise and a one-off cash payment on top which is also equivalent to a further 1.5% on a worker's salary this year, although it will not repeat next year. In total this will add an additional 7.6% to the NHS pay bill for 22/23.
Unions met with the Welsh Government as the Wales Partnership Forum, which has been negotiating with the Welsh Government over pay collectively, on Tuesday and collectively narrowly accepted the offer. However the Royal College of Nurses rejected the offer, and have asked the Welsh Government to negotiate directly with the RCN, outside of the Wales Partnership Forum.
The Wales Partnership Forum is made up of representatives of 15 NHS unions in Wales. Each trade union gets a certain number of votes. This means that the Partnership may accept the offer, while individual trade bodies do not.
The forum narrowly voted to accept the offer, meaning some unions did not vote to accept it. Representatives from RCN confirmed that they are still in dispute with the Welsh Government over the pay offer, and their members voted in a ballot to reject the offer. They have asked for talks to resume directly with the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, in five working days (by Tuesday). If the talks do not resume, they will consider their next steps.
Meanwhile, GMB confirmed that ambulance strikes planned for Monday and the rest of March will also go ahead. GMB and Unite union will undertake industrial action on March 6. Unite will also strike on March 10 and GMB will strike on March 20.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said the Welsh Government are pleased that the offer has been accepted but they "recognise the strength of feeling amongst members." She added that further discussions will take place about non-pay elements to improve the conditions and well-being of NHS staff.
However, Ms Morgan said if talks in England result in an offer for NHS staff there, consequential will come to Wales and will be passed onto NHS staff in Wales.
Midwives in Wales also voted to reject the offer, it was announced on Tuesday, but the Royal College of Midwives confirmed the pay offer was accepted by the union as part of the Wales Partnership Forum talks. Julie Richards, Director for Wales at the RCM said it was clear the Welsh Government were not able to make a bigger offer due to the money they get from the Westminster Government.
Ms Richards said: "This was an improved offer which we believe was made in good faith by the Welsh Government to move us forward on pay, and will start to improve maternity services for staff and for women. It is clear from this result that our members remain frustrated with their level of pay, with their working conditions, and also with the lack of resources to deliver the best possible care.
"The Welsh Government have made it clear that there is no more money on the table to improve the pay offer, hidebound as they are by the money they get from the Westminster Government. The Welsh Government has committed to improve their offer if more money does come through.
"Ultimately the solution to this sits with the Government in Westminster. It is they who really must come forward to make more money available for pay here in Wales and across the UK. Our members work incredibly hard, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to deliver care for women, babies, and their families. They need and rightly deserve better pay and we will keep campaigning to make that a reality.”
A representative for UNISON Wales, who represent cleaners, porters and some nurses and midwives said the union welcome the approval of the pay award. A total of 61% of its members who voted, voted to accept the pay offer.
Regional secretary of UNISON Cymru/Wales Dominic MacAskill said: “UNISON Cymru/Wales welcomes the approach of the Welsh government to get everyone around the table to discuss an additional package for all staff employed in the NHS. This is in stark contrast to actions of the UK government in Westminster.
“The joint body made up of representatives from the Welsh government, employers and unions approved the additional pay award. It is acknowledged that this was agreed by a narrow margin and there will still be a requirement for further discussions and negotiations.
“The majority of health workers belonging to UNISON Cymru/Wales across all health boards were prepared to accept the latest pay award. UNISON Cymru/Wales achieved a mandate for industrial action in the recent re-ballot of ambulance staff. Should the offer from the Welsh government not materialise into a pay award, notice for strike action will be considered."
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