WELSH midwives could be set for a pay boost, following the announcement of a new pay offer by the Welsh Government. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has urged its members to accept the deal, which includes a 5.5% consolidated pay increase for 2022/23, plus an additional non-consolidated 1.5% backdated to April 2022, dependent on acceptance of the offer by health unions.
The deal also includes an average 3% ‘recovery fee’ payment, which will be payable on top of the 2022/23 consolidated pay increase, and a 5% consolidated pay increase for 2023/24. This latest offer from the Welsh Government follows intense negotiations with the RCM and other health unions.
Julie Richards, RCM Director for Wales, hailed the deal as “without a doubt the best deal that can be achieved,” adding that “our members have made this great achievement possible.” The deal also includes commitments from the Welsh Government to address staffing levels and issues around flexible working, unsocial hours allowance, and reducing working hours with no loss of pay.
The RCM will consult its members on the new offer between April 28 and May 15, with the consultation result due to be announced soon after. The RCM’s recommendation is that members accept the offer.
The new pay deal also includes a commitment from the Welsh Government to look at restoring pay to 2008 levels, and to discuss the pay offer if extra money for pay is given to Wales by the Westminster Government through the Barnett Formula. However, this is dependent on any eventual pay settlement in England.
The RCM’s consultation with its members is the latest step in a long-running campaign for fair pay and better working conditions for midwives. The RCM and other unions have been engaged in intense negotiations with the Welsh Government to secure a better deal for NHS staff, and this latest offer represents a significant breakthrough in that campaign.
Midwives across Wales will now have their say on the new offer, with the hope that a positive result will provide a much-needed boost to their pay packets and their morale.
Responding to the announcement of a new pay offer for Agenda for Change staff in Wales, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Darren Hughes said: “NHS leaders will welcome the news of a further enhanced pay offer from Welsh Government to Agenda for Change staff in Wales.
“Most importantly, we acknowledge the efforts by the Welsh Government and trade unions to maintain an open dialogue, pause strike action and work in social partnership to find a resolution to the dispute.
“There’s no doubt this package has been negotiated against a backdrop of intense system pressures but also at an extremely challenging time for public finances.
“Above all else, we hope this can bring an end to the disruption for staff, services and patients so the NHS can continue to provide care to the people of Wales.”
