NIPSA and other health unions met this week with management to discuss the outworkings of the Health Minister’s recent letter regarding pay in the Health and Social Care sector; specifically in relation to the roadmap for implementing the real living wage as a minimum rate of pay for staff in this area.
NIPSA left this meeting with some cautious optimism that the real living wage can be achieved in the coming financial year. However, it is clear that a great deal of work still needs to be done. This includes receiving written proposals from management outlining how implementation will be achieved, the associated costings and, most importantly, a clear and credible timeframe.
NIPSA cannot allow yet another financial year to begin with the lowest-paid members relying on compliance payments to bring them up to the minimum wage. No one can reasonably argue that it is acceptable for Agenda for Change pay scales in Northern Ireland to include pay points below the minimum wage. Yet, if no action is taken, that is exactly the position we will be in on 1 April 2026.
It is time to end poverty pay
NIPSA stands ready to lead a campaign to ensure Health and Social Care becomes a Real Living Wage employer, in line with standards across the wider public sector. If this cannot be achieved through meaningful negotiation, we will not hesitate to escalate to industrial action. We cannot allow this situation to continue.
We are calling on all branches to begin consulting with affected members immediately and to prepare for the possibility of all forms of action. NIPSA, alongside our sister unions, will meet again with management in early January in the hope of agreeing a way forward.
Further updates will be issued following those discussions.