The offer follows the rejection of an initial offer and threat of strike ballot in January.
The new offer is:
- 2018 - 3.1%
- 2019 - 3%
- 2020 - RPI (as of Sept 2019) + 1.3%
The RPI figure isn't capped, it is currently expected to be 3.4% but could be higher or lower. A "no detriment clause" is also included which means if another pay group is given a better deal, the employer will match it for nurses and midwives. The employer has also promised pay parity on 1 January 2020 by bringing all pay in line between nurses and the allied health professionals group.
Lindsay Meeks, RCN Regional Director says: “It is a relief to be able to share with our members an improved offer. The anger from nurses has always been around the pay parity issue – the fact that they were getting considerably less than colleagues doing similar jobs. This offer addresses this, albeit in a slightly longer timeframe than members were hoping for.”
The deal would mean pay parity for nurses and midwives by 2020, an improvement on 2023 which was the original offer.
The RCN has opened a new ballot for members on this offer to see if they accept it. The ballot will close on 26 March 2019.
