Nurses union accepts new pay deal

Friday 29 March 2019

Members of a major nurses union have voted to accept a new pay offer from the government.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Jersey Nursing Association have both been balloting their members on a mediated offer put by the government earlier this month of 3.1% for 2018, 3% in 2019 and a rise in line with the cost of living plus 1.3% for 2020.

The new offer came following the rejection of an initial offer, and the threat of a strike ballot.

Express revealed yesterday that one of those unions - the RCN - has now voted to accept the new deal, which they officially announced this morning.

Around half (53%) of its members voted on the deal in a ballot that closed on Tuesday, with three quarters of these accepting. The States Employment Board (SEB), which is in charge of public sector workers' pay and employment conditions, has been informed.

"We know this process has been long and frustrating. Thank you for sticking with us and being so vocal. Make no mistake, without your consistent demonstration of your anger through our ballots, meetings and march, we would not have been able to put pressure on the States in the way that we did," the union said.

"We have carefully read the comments on social media and on the ballot forms. We know that not everyone will be pleased about this result and we are also aware that there is still much to be done and we will be working with you and the States to make sure this is done in a timely way."

The Jersey Nursing Association has not yet finalised its ballot.

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