16/04/2003

Nurses accept new pay deal

Nurses have voted to accept a new pay award following a ballot by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

Over 110,000 members voted in the ballot – a 32% turnout – and almost 90% of those polled voted for the pay package contained in the government's 'Agenda for Change' NHS career and pay modernisation proposals.

The new deal - which is expected to cost the government around £3.3 billion - will see nursing pay rise by at least 10% over the next three years.

RCN Chair of Council Jill Jarvis said the vote had been "historic".

She said: "We have done our best to respond to members' questions and issues on 'Agenda for Change' and the process has been democratic and fully consultative. We acknowledge the strength of feeling from the members and are very pleased with support that Agenda for Change has received."

RCN General Secretary Dr Beverly Malone said: "The RCN members have given Council a resounding affirmation of its leadership on Agenda for Change. RCN Council, activists and staff have worked very hard to deliver an informed choice to members and they have responded with a very clear message in favour of the proposals."

(GMcG)

Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 February 2015
Police Forces Support Improved Pay Offer
Members of Unite the union, working for police forces in England and Wales have backed an improved pay offer in a ballot, it has been announced. Civilian staff, including 999 call handlers, scene of crime officers, police community support officers and custody officers, accepted the revised pay offer of 2.2%, or £400, whichever is greater, by 92%.
30 January 2015
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
18 September 2014
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
01 October 2010
Pay Rises Before 2013 'Unrealistic' – IBEC
An influential Irish employers group has said any expectation of a pay rise by employees is "unrealistic". The employers' body IBEC made the claim after publishing the results of its survey showing the majority of companies could still not afford pay increases over the next two years.
06 September 2011
Theatre Members Accept Pay Deal
Union members working in regional theatres across the UK have voted narrowly to accept changes to pay and conditions for the period 2010/11. In the consultative ballot which closed on Friday, 53 per cent of those voting accepted the deal while 47 per cent of colleagues voted against.