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Welsh nurses could announce new strikes after rejecting the Welsh government's new wage offer. However, most of the principality's healthcare unions have "narrowly" accepted an average wage increase of more than 7% for 2022/23. The increase provides workers with an additional 3% on top of the 4.5% average pay increase that staff have already received this year.
The package was agreed through the Partnership Forum for Wales, made up of representatives from healthcare unions, Welsh NHS management and the Welsh government.
We will continue to work together in partnership to successfully implement this offer.
Midwives also voted against the deal, as the GMB and Unite unions representing paramedics rejected it in early February.
Health and Social Services Minister Eluned Morgan said in a statement: "Unions such as the Partnership Forum for Wales have collectively narrowly accepted the improved wage offer put forward by the Welsh Government for 2022/23."
“While we are pleased that the offer has been accepted, we acknowledge the strong feelings among the members.
“We will continue to work together in partnership to work to implement this offer and also to begin immediate conversations about next steps, including continuing meaningful conversations about the nature of the compensation given for 23/24 and other unpaid items to improve conditions and well-being of our NHS staff.
It also said that money transferred to Wales through any higher pay allocation to English healthcare workers would be transferred to Welsh staff.
The Royal College of Nursing said its members in Wales voted overwhelmingly against the new offer and it would write to Morgan asking him to start negotiations to resolve the dispute.
RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said: “This offer has not been accepted by RCN members.
“I have written to the Minister today urging the Welsh Government to return to the negotiating table to negotiate directly with RCN.
“If this does not happen within the five working days that I indicated in my letter, I will have no choice but to announce new strike dates.
“The strike is always the last resort; our members don't want to go on strike, but this extra offer doesn't restore years of undervaluation and staff shortages.
"Nurses once again feel they have no choice."
The Royal College of Midwives said 82% of members who voted rejected the offer in an online consultation with a turnout of 32%.
Despite this, the union will enter into discussions with the Welsh government on the implementation of the new offer and a wage agreement for next year.
Julie Richards, RCM's director for Wales, said: "This was an enhanced offer that we believe the Welsh government has made in good faith to move forward with payment and begin to improve maternity services for staff and for women."
“From this result it is clear that our affiliates continue to be frustrated with their level of remuneration, their working conditions, but also with the lack of resources to provide the best possible care.
“The Welsh Government have made it clear that there is no more money on the table to improve the wage offer, blind as they are to the money they receive from the Westminster Government.
"The Welsh government is committed to improving its offer if more money comes through."
Members of the Chartered Physiotherapy Society in Wales voted to accept the revised salary offer along with other healthcare unions.
Jim Fahie, CSP's deputy director of union services, said: “Members agreed that this was a reasonable offer obtained through negotiation.
“We welcome the Welsh government's constructive approach to the dispute, which was born out of a very real anger felt by our members over an original decision that did nothing to help them manage the cost of living crisis or address the severe shortage of staff at present. seen on the NHS.
"The improved offer was only made possible by the courageous decision made by our members and those of other unions to vote in favor of the strike and shows the strength of the health unions."
PA wire
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