Northern Ireland health unions to vote on pay offer

Trade unions representing health and social care staff are asking their members to vote on a new 2023-24 pay offer from the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Department of Health said the proposed pay settlement would see the restoration of pay parity with England for health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework.

Health minister Robin Swann has welcomed the unions’ decision: “I said on taking office that my first priority was to get pay settlements over the line for staff. This is a positive step in that direction and I commend the constructive negotiations that have taken place with trade unions representing Agenda for Change staff.”

Unions will now ballot their members on the pay offer, which will be backdated to April 2023, having been delayed by political and budgetary instability. Last month, thousands of workers across the entire public sector went on strike over pay.

Under the proposed settlement, HSC Agenda for Change staff will receive a consolidated pay uplift of 5% and a non-consolidated (pro-rata) payment of £1,505. The lowest pay values for Band 1 and Band 2 will be removed.

Patrick Mulholland, deputy general of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), said: “Our members in the health service will no doubt welcome progress on the pay issue, and it will be for them to consider any offer made from the minister and decide if they will accept.

“However safe staffing levels, which affect not only service delivery…