NHS Pay Offer - what does it actually mean

The Government have announced that they will follow the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation on pay in full, backdated to 1st April 2022. (Pay for NHS staff in Scotland has been negotiated separately. 

 After consultation with members, GMB made two written and one oral submission into the PRB process. GMB also joined other Staff Council Unions in joint union written and oral evidence sessions. 

 Reminder of GMB's & the joint union pay claim to the PRB

GMB

As well as the joint union claim detailed below, GMB also called on the PRB to make recommendations about returning all ambulance service workers to Annex 5 of Agenda for Change for unsocial hours and a review of their retirement age which is inconsistent with other emergency service workers. GMB also raised concerns about pay falling below the National Living Wage, difficulties in accessing flexible working, ambulance service pressures and high cost area supplements. GMB also notified the PRB that our members were losing faith in the PRB process and its effectiveness in delivering fair pay justice for them.

Joint Union

·       A significant increase in pay that busts inflation.

·       A down payment and plan towards restoring a decade of lost earnings.

·       A retention package that seeks to address:

-       Job banding

-       Fair pay for additional hours

-       Limits to excessive working hours to prevent burnout

-       The use of recruitment and retention premia’s

-       Supports career progression

Government have now made their announcement regarding what this year’s pay award will be, albeit four months late. They have accepted the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation on pay in full.

·       £1400 consolidated uplift in pay for all Agenda for Change Staff to their Full Time Equivalent Salary. This includes the National Living Wage adjustments made for Bands 1 & 2 from 1st April 2022.

·       This will be enhanced to 4% for staff at the top of Bands 6 & 7.

·       Backdated to 1st April 2022.

This pay award is in fact – just another pay cut. GMB believes you’re worth more. But do you?

This is your chance to Have Your Say on Your Pay. A vote to save your living standards. Don’t miss it. Your vote is crucial.

All GMB members will be given a vote. GMB London Region is conducting the ballot by post and electronically, dependent on the contact details GMB has for you. If you want to ensure we have the correct information about you, where you work, your job title and contact details please update here.

This pay award will be paid to you, regardless of whether union members want to accept the offer or not. This is not a pay negotiation, it is an imposition of what the Government think you are worth. If you want to challenge this and continue the fight for pay justice, you need to vote against the pay award and for industrial action. If a majority of GMB members vote for industrial action in this consultative ballot, we will look to move to a formal postal ballot for industrial action as required by law. YOU MUST VOTE IN BOTH BALLOTS. If we secure mandates for industrial action, we will endeavour to align that action with other health unions who also secure action mandates.

Please mark/select only one option.

Ballot Opens: Tuesday 30th August 2022

Ballot Closes: Tuesday 27th September 2022         

It is important that every member has their say and uses their vote – complete your ballot paper today [or complete online) and return to us to ensure your vote counts. This is your chance to tell the Government that their pay award isn’t enough. 

Our strength is in our numbers. If your work colleague is not a union member ask them to join the GMB. If you’re interested in becoming a GMB rep then please contact your local GMB branch or email NHS@gmb.org.uk  

What does the pay award mean for you?

 NHS Pension Scheme member contributions rates Changes to contribution rate from 1 October 2022

NHS Terms and Conditions 2022 (Agenda for Change) Pay bands and pay points from 1 April 2022