From 9am on Tuesday 28 March, RCN members working on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts in England will have their say on the UK government’s NHS pay offer.
Details of the consultation were announced by the President of the RCN, Sheila Sobrany, during a live Q&A session with members this evening (21 March).
The offer made by the UK government last week consists of a one-off payment for the current financial year 2022/23 worth between £1,655 and £3,789 and a 5% consolidated (permanent) pay increase for 2023/24 for all those at point 2 of Band 2 and above. The additional offer for 2022/23 is on top of the already implemented, consolidated pay uplift of at least £1,400, awarded to members last year.
The offer also includes a series of commitments and plans to improve pay, terms and conditions over time. These include a specific commitment to the RCN to consider a new pay spine exclusively for all nursing staff, as part of work to tackle challenges faced by nurses and nursing with the intention that resulting changes can be delivered within the 2024/25 pay year.
Now is the time to familiarise yourself with the pay offer in full and consider what it means for you.
<<Read the full offer >>
The RCN’s elected Council is recommending that members vote to accept the offer.
Speaking to members at the Q&A session, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “To get the talks with the UK government was a breakthrough. After months of ministers touring TV studios behind me saying there was no money, and they could not reopen the current pay deal, they did. It was you, our members, who got them to.
“Over three weeks we certainly asked for much more than what has been offered. The government increased its pay offer each time. But there comes a point in negotiations where you know the other side won’t give any more. This is not the first offer either, it’s the government’s final offer. The RCN said no to a dozen earlier versions of this to get the government higher.
“I am your General Secretary and I will always do what is best for nursing but now I want to hear from you.”
Eligible members will be able to vote on the RCN’s website. All you need to vote is your RCN login details. If you need to reset your password, you can do so here.
Members will be asked one question – whether they accept or reject the offer in full – and have until 9am on Friday 14 April to decide. Members can also vote more than once if they change their mind, however it is only their final vote that will be counted.
It’s important you know your RCN membership number and password, as you’ll need these to vote when the consultation opens. Please also check your details are up to date and confirm that you’re employed by the NHS in England on an Agenda for Change contract at MyRCN.
