Planned strikes by health workers in a row over pay have been suspended after a breakthrough in talks, with a Government offer to increase pay for almost all NHS staff by 1 per cent. Members of Unison, the GMB and Unite were due to walk out in England and Northern Ireland on Thursday and again next month in protest at the Government's refusal to accept a recommended one per cent wage rise for all NHS staff. Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, had warned that plans by paramedics to take part in the action could endanger lives and “affect patient safety to an unacceptable level”. Extensive talks between union leaders and officials at the Department of Health led to fresh proposals which will now be put to workers. Under the offer, all NHS workers earning less than £56,000 would get a 1 per cent pay rise in 2015-16. The pay boost for the majority of staff will be funded by a freeze in the pay of those earning more than £56,000, who will not benefit from either the 1 per cent pay rise or incremental increases in their pay. Millions of the lowest paid staff would also receive an extra £200, while minimum pay levels would rise from £14,294 to £15,100 - an increase of almost 6 per cent. The Department for Health said that the deal will not cost taxpayers any more than the £280 million plans they originally tabled. Redundancy payouts will be capped at £160,000 after fury over six-figure "golden goodbyes" for NHS workers, many of whom returned to work elsewhere in the health service. GMB, which represents paramedics and hospital workers, said it would consult with 22,000 members over the offer. Rehana Azam, GMB National Officer, said "GMB is pleased that after a week of talks we have secured a new offer. This enables us to suspend the strike action while we consult with our members on whether they wish to accept the offer or not." The industrial action planned by Unison, Unite and the GMB means ambulance crews meant a strike from noon until midnight on Thursday, Jan 29, while hospital workers were expected to walk out from 9am to 9pm on the same day. A second, 24-hour strike had been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 25, with work-to-rule actions planned for the weeks in between. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "This is good news for patients, and I welcome the unions calling off strike action. We have consistently said that we wouldn’t agree a pay deal that risked frontline jobs and therefore patient safety. This offer achieves that – the NHS paybill will not increase next year, while rewarding hardworking staff." A number of unions have been involved in a wave of strikes during the dispute over pay. Unison's head of health Christina McAnea said: "The two strike days staged by health workers last year have moved the government to negotiate with the unions. "This isn't a great offer but it addresses some of the key concerns unions have about low pay in the NHS. In the interest of patients' safety unions will now consult members. "It will be up to members to decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If they choose to reject them we will move to further industrial action." Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said: “The RCN has been campaigning and lobbying for fair pay alongside the other health trade unions and been involved in the current negotiations. “This decision goes some way to alleviate the concerns of staff by honouring the independent pay review body’s recommendation for a 1 per cent consolidated rise and helping some of the lowest paid NHS staff." The Royal College of Midwives said it will consult its members and will be recommending that they accept the offer from the Government as the best that can be achieved by negotiations. Cathy Warwick, chief executive, said: “I am pleased the Government came to the negotiating table to seek a solution. I believe this offer represents the best that can be achieved by negotiations and we will consult with members in England. “Midwives are caring people who work long hours to give excellent care to women and their babies, often working beyond their shift and through their breaks. Even during our industrial action midwives have maintained safety for women and their families. They deserve to be valued by Government and employers." |