There was some more money!

Friday 01 March 2019

Jersey's nurses and midwives have been offered more money in the latest twist in their long-running wage row with the Government.

It's been announced this morning that while the pay offer for 2018 and 2019 for nurses and midwives isn't changing, the Government is going to offer more money next year instead - their wages will go up by whatever is the figure for inflation in September this year, plus 1.3%.

It's a similar offer to the one already put to teachers and Police officers this week. The States Employment Board (SEB) had previously argued that, “...there is no more money” given a forecast £30million to £40million black hole in Government finances.

Previously nurses had comprehensively rejected pay offers which fell below increases in the cost of living, and which were described as "final."

But SEB now says the new offer "...will protect standards of living by effectively matching inflation over three years."

Members were asked to accept or reject a 3.1% pay rise for 2018 and 3% pay rise for 2019.

• JNA members voted 85.27% to reject the offer with 13.95% accepting

• RCN members, voted 62% to reject the offer with 38% accepting.

— Jersey Nursing Association (@JerseyNursing) January 8, 2019

The Fiscal Policy Panel currently forecasts RPI in September 2019 to be 3.4%, which means that nurses and midwives could receive increases worth 4.7% from 1 January 2020.

SEB says the offer for 2018-19 remains 3.1% for 2018 and 3% for 2019. They have also promised to address differences in the pay scales between nurses and midwives, and other health care workers, starting from the beginning of next year, which was one of the key issues for staff.

Pictured: nurses meet as part of the long-running row over pay.

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, who chairs SEB, said: “We have always wanted to address the pay gap between nurses and other pay groups, and this offer fully closes that gap. Across-the-board increases, which protect spending power over the three years, with additional increases for nurses and midwives who are paid below comparable health professionals, are very significant improvements. This shows that the government has sought to address the genuine concerns of nurses and midwives, and recognises and values their commitment to caring for islanders.”

The long-running row over public sector pay continues, with deals still to be agreed with head teachers, prison officers and civil servants, as well as teachers, nurses and midwives.

Earlier this week, the island's teachers called off a planned strike to allow union members to consider a last-minute offer.