Northern Ireland Health Unions Largely Accept Department of Health Pay Proposal

The majority of health unions in Northern Ireland have expressed approval for a pay proposal from the Department of Health. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt stated that the 5.5% pay increase aligns with the offers extended to healthcare staff in England and Wales. Unison, a prominent union, indicated that it had secured a formal written assurance that this pay equivalence would be upheld for the 2024/2025 period. The remuneration is scheduled to be disbursed in two distinct payments, with healthcare personnel anticipating a minimum of 10 months of retrospective pay. However, Nipsa, another union, informed BBC News NI that it would not endorse the proposal as it currently stands, citing its dedication to obtaining a guarantee of 12 months of back pay. The concluding portion of the pay package might be funded through economies achieved within other areas of the Department of Health and potentially from the New Year monitoring round. The disparity has now been reduced to an extent that has enabled the health minister to provide a written assurance to the unions. Ann Speed of Unison conveyed to BBC News NI that this development was positive and that industrial action had been averted. Both the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also expressed their approval of the offer. A declaration from the RCM described it as “long overdue”. It added: “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.” Conversely, a Nipsa spokesperson stated: “Branch representatives are clear that the concerns of members have not been addressed by the current position of the Department of Health.” The spokesperson further indicated that “Nipsa will continue to monitor the situation and to lobby for sufficient funding to cover health service pay.” Practically speaking, healthcare employees can anticipate receiving a minimum of 10 months of backdated remuneration on their March 2025 pay dates. Ms Speed remarked that “Health unions will remain engaged and focused early in the New Year on full delivery of the minister’s commitments.” Health Minister Mike Nesbitt informed 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.”