RCN accepts three-year pay deal

Published: 06 June 2008

92.7% of members who took part in the RCN’s recent pay consultation were in favour of the Government’s pay deal worth 7.99 per cent over three years.

Speaking about the result of the consultation, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said:

“We’re one of the largest unions representing NHS workers and we recommended this deal to our members because it’s fair, balanced and it’s the best deal in the public sector.

We worked hard to negotiate this deal for our members and it’s clear from their response they want us to accept it. Some of our lowest paid members – healthcare assistants and newly qualified nurses will be better off with a pay deal that is worth between 14% and 16%.

We have secured a commitment to re-open pay talks should inflation continue to rise or if there are significant changes to the labour market – a clause which is very important to our members.

We have secured a pivotal role for the independent pay review body to monitor the economic situation and we will hold the government to their commitment.

This deal remains the best deal in the public sector and members taking part in our consultation agreed with us. We can now move forward to get this year’s pay award into members’ pockets as soon as possible.”

The RCN has secured a pay deal which is worth between 14% and 16% to some if its lowest paid members – healthcare assistants and newly qualified nurses. In addition to this, there is an agreed commitment to re-open pay talks should inflation continue to rise or if there are significant changes to the labour market.

RCN members were consulted on the proposed deal through the organisation’s branch network and the RCN’s website between 21 April and 28 May 2008.