Four unions representing staff on ‘Agenda for Change’ contracts submitted a claim on 24 December for a one-year deal for 2026 which would add 5.7% to their pay and allowances.
They received a 5% increase from 1 January last year, in line with other public sector employees. But they were not part of a longer-term deal which provided more than 1,500 States staff, including civil servants and police officers, with an increase of 3.7% at the start of this year, in line with the rate of inflation in June.
The Royal College of Nursing said yesterday that the four unions behind the pay claim – which also includes the Royal College of Midwives, Prospect and Unite – asked the States for talks in September but ‘nothing happened’ for three months, despite their current deal expiring at the end of the year.
‘It wasn’t until 22 December that the States responded to the September letter asking the agenda for change group to submit their pay claim.
This was sent on 24 December and to date we have not heard back,’ said Helen Wigginton, regional communications manager at the RCN.
‘It’s hugely frustrating that we start a new year with no idea what the pay offer is for nurses and midwives.
‘It was really positive to see the States recognise health as one of its top five priorities this year. As a professional organisation, the Royal College of Nursing is ideally placed to support the States with its aspirations, and one of the best ways to get started on this is to recognise the very members of staff that will be key in delivering healthcare with a prompt pay offer for 2026.’
The Policy & Resources Committee, which is responsible for pay and conditions, was approached for comment late yesterday.
The four unions’ pay claim was based on their members’ expectations established through surveys carried out last year.
They requested a single-year settlement partly in the hope of expediting talks, but said they remain open-minded to any counter-proposal from the States.
‘We haven’t asked for a multi-year deal. Typically, these take longer to negotiate, although it is in the States’ gift to present one if it wishes,’ said Mrs Wigginton.
‘The next steps will be for the States to respond with an offer which will be put to our respective memberships asking them to accept or reject. As you know, this ping-pong can go on for a while.’
Agenda for Change is the grading and pay system used throughout the National Health Service. It was adopted in Guernsey many years ago.