The GMB has called on the Pay Review Body to make sure that NHS workers’ pay awards in April next year are “truly impartial”.
The union wrote to the PRB to ask the body to demonstrate to the Service employees that their process is “able to deliver for workers, by acting truly independent of the government and making recommendations on pay for the years 2025/26 which truly recognise and reward them.”
Before proposing NHS pay recommendations for April, the PRB will examine evidence from employers and unions as well as ministers.
GMB has already submitted evidence to be considered calling for a wage increase above inflation.
The government claimed last week that it could only afford to pay a 2.8% wage increase, which would have been used in part to fund the wage agreement of last year, which GMB called “disappointing”.
The letter asked that the PRB make its recommendation only after considering all evidence and not just the affordability plan of the government.
The government wants to increase the pay of all NHS staff in the Agenda for Change pay band by a certain percentage above the Retail Price Index. It also wants to give band 2 an hourly wage of at least PS15 and to address the differences between bands.
GMB also calls for “an agreement to restore lost wages and conditions, and a plan as to how this can be achieved”. 2,8% before any deductions won’t meet this”.
Rachel Harrison, GMB’s national secretary, stated: “Fourteen year pay freezes, and pay awards below inflation, have seriously damaged the value and morale of NHS workers.
The government’s affordability figure of 2.8% is disappointing. It will fall below inflation when it’s used as part payment for this year’s agreement. The government’s affordability number of 2.8 percent is deeply disappointing – and will be below inflation once it’s used to part pay for this year’s deal.
She stated that the GMB had decided to reengage with the PRB due to minor reforms. The GMB believes that now it has an opportunity to demonstrate that it is truly independently of the government, and to “make a pay recommendation that values and recognises workforce”.
The union must give personal evidence to the PRB by 21 January 2025.
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