HSC PAY UPDATE

STATEMENT  FROM HSC TRADE UNIONS
NORTHERN IRELAND 19TH JANUARY 2022

Trade Unions have met with Minister Swann this afternoon to be informed of additional monies of £25 million to be distributed in addition to the 3% pay award for 2021-22.

The Minister has directed that this non-consolidated element of the pay uplift will be distributed as follows:

AFC Bands 1-3 to receive 1.5%

AFC Bands 4-7 to receive 1%

All other health service staff to receive 0.5%

Health Trade Unions provided a guarded welcome to this announcement.  However with inflation indicated as running at 5.4% union members remain extremely disappointed with the PRB recommendation of 3% . We stated clearly that members earnings  for the year 2021-2022 will not have kept pace with rising costs. Health workers deserve better.

The Ministers decision was made following protracted discussions with the Trade Unions on the issue of pay.  

Health Trade Unions recognise that this award covers all health workers and reinforced the need for continued discussion on the impact of the pandemic on our members and on-going recruitment and retention issues linked to pay.