Largest nursing union reject proposed Welsh Government pay award
The Welsh Government offered a 5.5% pay increase for 2024/25.
Last updated 4th Nov 2024
72% of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members, who work in Wales' NHS, voted against a proposed pay increase from the Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government offered a 5.5% pay increase for 2024/25.
The number of members that took part in the consultation reached the same levels as those seen in the successful 2022 industrial action ballot in Wales and the turnout in the recent consultation on the NHS pay award in England.
The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, announced this pay award in September, with the 5.5% increase expected to be paid in November salaries.
However, the largest nursing union in Wales say, this award does not recognise the value, expertise, and critical responsibility held by nursing staff in Wales.
Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Executive Director, said:
“Our members have spoken loudly and clearly: nursing staff in Wales know their worth. After years of underpayment, this award fails to match the safety-critical nature of their work and the extensive skills they bring to the NHS.
“With the NHS in Wales in a fragile state, it is imperative that the Welsh government commits to valuing nursing staff to strengthen recruitment and retention, which will, in turn, improve patient care.”
“The RCN calls on the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to engage in urgent talks toward pay restoration to address the historical underpayment faced by nurses in Wales. We urge the Welsh government to recognise that fair pay is essential to sustaining this essential workforce."
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We greatly value Wales’ nursing workforce, which does so much to look after and provide life-saving and life-changing care for people, often in very pressured circumstances.
“We accepted the independent pay review body recommendations for NHS Agenda for Change staff in full and continue to work with the UK Government on how to progress the recommendation on Agenda for Change pay structures.
“We know that retaining our current workforce is as important as recruiting new staff, and we’ve also maintained our education and training budget at £281m this year.
“Despite the unprecedented pressures on our budget, record numbers of people are employed by the NHS.
“We continue to work with employers and unions to deliver the working environment and conditions our NHS staff deserve and need to continue providing high-quality care for the people of Wales.”