‘Cautious optimism’ over nurses’ pay talks progress

An industrial tribunal that was set to sit to decide on the pay deal for last year at the end of this month has now been put on hold.

The RCN opened a ballot over possible strike action yesterday.

A joint statement by all the parties involved said: ‘The RCN, Royal College of Midwives, Unite and Prospect, who represent staff employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, along with the SoG as employer, have agreed to further talks to try and resolve the current dispute over pay.

‘Jointly we have formally requested that the industrial disputes officer provide us with more time to enable that to occur by postponing the industrial tribunal scheduled for 27 and 28 February.

‘The parties have agreed to use these dates for further talks and will reconsider their respective positions following these meetings. All parties remain cautiously optimistic that constructive progress can be made.’

P&R’s latest offer amounted to 10%, but the RCN has been arguing for pay parity with other public sector employees.

P&R proposed a 5% salary increase backdated to January 2019, and a further 5% increase backdated to September 2019, which the RCN said yesterday might have been accepted had it outlined further increases that would bring nurses’ pay closer to parity over time.

Talks would still need to take place about a deal for 2020.

The industrial disputes officer confirmed that arrangements for a tribunal due to be held at the end of this month were nearing a conclusion,

‘However, following a request from the parties to the dispute there is now a postponement to the tribunal in order to allow further discussions to take place.’