Health Trade Unions have met with the Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt MLA to discuss the actions he is taking to secure funding for a 2025/26 pay uplift for the Agenda for Change (AfC) workforce, following the recommendations made by the Pay Review Body.
The Minister outlined the steps he had taken to date to secure the funding required for a pay uplift and that the issue is now with the NI Executive for consideration.
The UNISON NI Health Care Service Group has met to discuss 2025/26 Agenda for Change pay.
This follows from a meeting between the Health Minister, UNISON and other health trade unions that was sought by UNISON and other health trade unions, following the announcement of the Pay Review Body recommendation of a 3.6% pay uplift.
Members in Northern Ireland covered by the NJC pay framework will have received emails from UNISON inviting them to respond to the consultation on the NJC pay offer for 2025/26.
Employers have offered a 3.2% increase. UNISON, alongside other unions, had sought a pay increase of £3,000. Having received the employer’s offer, UNISON’s committee of leading activists agreed to launch a consultation of members with a recommendation that members reject the offer.
The Pay Review Body recommendations on Agenda for Change pay for 2025/26 have been announced. A 3.6% pay uplift has been recommended and in Northern Ireland the Health Minister has stated that he has begun a process to secure the funding needed to implement this.
The new Immigration White Paper – what it means for you UNISON briefing 14 May 2025
UNISON is aware that there will be great concern and anxiety about the implications of the proposals announced by the Government. While we are still seeking further details and clarifications about the practical implications of the White Paper, we wanted to update you as soon as possible and underline our commitment to fighting for you and your rights.
Figures obtained by UNISON from the Education Authority (EA), show that around 68% of the total classroom assistant workforce working in EA schools are on temporary contracts. Of the 21,815 classroom assistants (including nursery assistants), 14,930 are on temporary contracts. Of those on temporary contracts, 2,727 have been employed by the EA in the same post for more than 4 years.
Following delivery of the 2024/25 pay award at the end of March, the UNISON NI Healthcare Services Group has met to plan next steps in the 2025/26 pay campaign for health and social care workers under Agenda for Change.
UNISON stands in solidarity with the workers and activists in a wide range of Irish language and cultural organisations, including our own members, taking action today over cuts in funding to the cross border body Foras Na Gaeilge. Neither the Irish Government nor the NI Executive can sidestep their responsibilities for delivering on this core commitment in the Peace Agreement. In respect of the NI Executive the time for the partisan use of 'blocking' tactics on funding and other decisions has to be called out once and for all.
Health Trade Unions have received formal confirmation from the Health Minister that he has now approved payment of the full 12 months of the Agenda for Change pay award from 1st April 2024.
