Nurses ballot opens on Welsh government’s latest pay offer

Nurses in Wales are being given the opportunity to voice their opinions on a new pay offer from the Welsh government through a ballot launched by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales.

Following the offer, the RCN cancelled the planned strikes in Wales following the revised pay offer from the Welsh government. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The strikes were to protest the low wages and poor working conditions faced by nurses in the country. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The ballot, which opened today, is asking eligible RCN members on NHS Agenda for Change contracts to accept or reject an additional pay increase of 3%, in addition to the pay award already implemented for the 2022-23 financial year.

The RCN Wales has said it is not making a recommendation on how members should vote, leaving the decision up to the individual.

Union members are encouraged to check their personal and employment details on the RCN’s website before casting their vote.

Voting will close at 9 am on Monday 27 February.

Helen Whyley, Director of RCN Wales, said, “This additional offer from the Welsh government shows the true power of the voice of nursing and the effects of the tireless resolve shown on those picket lines.”

Jackie Davies, RCN Wales Board Chair, added, “We know that nursing staff want nothing more than to get back onto wards, back into the community, back into clinics and continue doing what they love to do: caring for their patients.”