Menu
14/01/2020
'Breakthrough' £30m Pay Offer For Health Unions
A 'breakthrough' offer for salary parity has been tabled to health unions in Northern Ireland, the Health Minister has confirmed.
Robin Swann said the offer comes after some very difficult days for local health services as he set out the terms to the newly formed Assembly. The former UUP Leader made salary parity with England one of his first moves as local Health Minister following the restoration of powersharing.
With effect from the 01 April 2019, pay parity is expected to cost £109 million. The Department has assembled around £79 million, meaning an additional £30 million is required to meet the cost of pay parity with England for 2019/20.
Mr Swann informed the Northern Ireland Assembly of his plans to formally submit the new pay offer to health unions this afternoon.
It comes after local nurses took to the picket lines for the first time ever in December, with two further strike days carried out last week and ballots for escalated action ongoing.
Pay parity, together with safe staffing, are the main causes of the current dispute. Trade unions had previously rejected two formal offers by the Department of Health as they fell short of resolving parity with the rest of the UK.
Recent industrial action caused the cancellation of thousands of outpatient and elective appointments across Northern Ireland.
"This new offer will reinstate pay parity with England, and not just for this year," the Health Minister told the Assembly.
"The breakthrough that we all wanted has been achieved. This is a good day after some very difficult days."
A costed implementation plan for safe staffing levels is also being developed between the DoH and health unions.
Mr Swann added: "The component parts are now in place to settle the industrial dispute. Our nurses and other great health and social care workers can come off the picket line and get back to the job they love and do so well."
The additional funds will have implications for the budget in future years and did not come from additional money offered to Northern Ireland by the government.
Health unions plan to carefully assess the pay offer and are set to meet with Executive Ministers this afternoon.
(JG/CM)
Robin Swann said the offer comes after some very difficult days for local health services as he set out the terms to the newly formed Assembly. The former UUP Leader made salary parity with England one of his first moves as local Health Minister following the restoration of powersharing.
With effect from the 01 April 2019, pay parity is expected to cost £109 million. The Department has assembled around £79 million, meaning an additional £30 million is required to meet the cost of pay parity with England for 2019/20.
Mr Swann informed the Northern Ireland Assembly of his plans to formally submit the new pay offer to health unions this afternoon.
It comes after local nurses took to the picket lines for the first time ever in December, with two further strike days carried out last week and ballots for escalated action ongoing.
Pay parity, together with safe staffing, are the main causes of the current dispute. Trade unions had previously rejected two formal offers by the Department of Health as they fell short of resolving parity with the rest of the UK.
Recent industrial action caused the cancellation of thousands of outpatient and elective appointments across Northern Ireland.
"This new offer will reinstate pay parity with England, and not just for this year," the Health Minister told the Assembly.
"The breakthrough that we all wanted has been achieved. This is a good day after some very difficult days."
A costed implementation plan for safe staffing levels is also being developed between the DoH and health unions.
Mr Swann added: "The component parts are now in place to settle the industrial dispute. Our nurses and other great health and social care workers can come off the picket line and get back to the job they love and do so well."
The additional funds will have implications for the budget in future years and did not come from additional money offered to Northern Ireland by the government.
Health unions plan to carefully assess the pay offer and are set to meet with Executive Ministers this afternoon.
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 January 2024
The Ultimate Guide To Bingo Halls In Northern Ireland
Bingo, a game that has been a staple in Northern Ireland's entertainment scene for decades, continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts across the region. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in bingo hall attendances, and some attribute this surge to the growing popularity and accessibility of bingo sites.
The Ultimate Guide To Bingo Halls In Northern Ireland
Bingo, a game that has been a staple in Northern Ireland's entertainment scene for decades, continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts across the region. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in bingo hall attendances, and some attribute this surge to the growing popularity and accessibility of bingo sites.
26 April 2024
Other News In Brief
Appeal For Information After Car Set On Fire In South Belfast The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a car was set on fire in south Belfast.
Other News In Brief
Appeal For Information After Car Set On Fire In South Belfast The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a car was set on fire in south Belfast.
26 April 2024
Northern Ireland Is Facing An Unprecedented Crisis – Alliance
The Alliance Party has warned that "Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented crisis", after it raised serious concerns over proposed budget allocations. The Party's Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA said Alliance recognised the need to do something and had chosen to "step up and govern" rather than let the situation deteriorate further.
Northern Ireland Is Facing An Unprecedented Crisis – Alliance
The Alliance Party has warned that "Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented crisis", after it raised serious concerns over proposed budget allocations. The Party's Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA said Alliance recognised the need to do something and had chosen to "step up and govern" rather than let the situation deteriorate further.
22 September 2023
SF Calls On UK Govt To Deliver 'Fair Pay Deal'
As health and social care workers across NI take part in strike action, Sinn Féin has called on the UK government to "deliver a fair pay deal".
SF Calls On UK Govt To Deliver 'Fair Pay Deal'
As health and social care workers across NI take part in strike action, Sinn Féin has called on the UK government to "deliver a fair pay deal".
06 December 2019
Health Unions Reject £28m Pay Offer
Negotiations between trade unions and the Department of Health over the ongoing industrial action have ended without agreement. Health workers across Northern Ireland have joined actions over pay and staffing levels.
Health Unions Reject £28m Pay Offer
Negotiations between trade unions and the Department of Health over the ongoing industrial action have ended without agreement. Health workers across Northern Ireland have joined actions over pay and staffing levels.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
