Press Release Issued 19 January 2022
NIPSA has given a guarded response to Minister of Health Robin Swann’s announcement today of an extra £25 million to go with the 3% pay award – stressing that the additional money, while welcome, falls well short of what hard-pressed Health and Social Care staff deserve.
It follows a meeting between the Minister and Health Sector unions, including NIPSA, earlier today – and comes after months of protracted negotiations on the issue.
The additional £25m is non-consolidated – meaning it is a one-off payment and doesn’t count towards pensions – and will be distributed as follows:
- AFC Bands 1-3 will receive 1.5%
- AFC Bands 4-7 will receive 1%
- All other health service staff to receive 0.5%.
The main element of the pay award, the 3% pay rise, was recommended by the Pay Review Body last year.
Terry Thomas, NIPSA’s Assistant Secretary for Health, said: “With inflation rising at 5.4% and more and the increases people have faced in relation to heating and food bills, this pay award essentially amounts to a pay cut for our members.
“Though the pay award is welcome because of the fact that it’s extra money – it just doesn’t go far enough.”
He said NIPSA’s campaign on pay in Health and Social Care has been focused on redressing the balance after years of underinvestment in the sector.
“From our point of view, we’ve held firm in talks with regard to our campaign for fair pay and safe staffing. That stance has paid off as we’ve managed to secure extra monies but – again – it doesn’t go far enough. The Minister needs to understand that we need and our members deserve further progress on pay.”