Many of you will have seen the government’s announcement that they intend imposing the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body for Agenda for Change staff including £1,400 or 4% payable before the end of the financial year,
While the addition of extra cash is welcome in members pockets, I would draw your attention to the Bulletin to members on 12 August 2022 and the decision taken to reject this Recommendation as it again amounts to a Pay Cut for members and since then the ever increasing Inflation rate has trebled, the Cost Of Living crisis deepens and Energy costs soar.
This news from Government comes too late to assist members in the depth of winter and Christmas and has drawn an angry response from NIPSA members in the Health Service who are continuing to see their standard of living cut to pieces.
While it is encouraging to see that this announcement comes as we begin our campaign of Industrial Action, it falls far short of the National Unions call for an “inflation busting” Pay Rise to address the underlying issues including the Cost of Living Crisis, Recruitment, retention and Low Morale in the NHS along with acknowledging the continued commitment of staff during the Pandemic.