Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed a decision by health service trade unions to ballot members on a proposed pay settlement for 2023/24.
The proposed settlement would see the restoration of pay parity with England for health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework. This involves a large proportion of the overall health service workforce in Northern Ireland.
Minister Swann commented:
“I said on taking office that my first priority was to get pay settlements over the line for staff. This is a positive step in that direction and I commend the constructive negotiations that have taken place with trade unions representing Agenda for Change staff.
“The unions will now ballot their members and I want them to be given the time and space for this to happen. Staff are the backbone of health and social care services and deserve to be properly rewarded for their work.
"Staff pay settlements for 2023/24 are long overdue, having been delayed by political and budgetary instability. They will be backdated to April 2023.”
Under the proposed settlement, HSC Agenda for Change staff will receive a consolidated pay uplift of 5% and a non-consolidated (pro-rata) payment of £1505. The lowest pay values for Band 1 and Band 2 will also be removed.